Incomplete transcripts dominate the Mycobacterium tuberculosis transcriptome. (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38418874/)

These scientists wanted to understand how a harmful bacteria called Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) causes tuberculosis, which is a serious disease that affects many people around the world. They knew that this bacteria changes the way it produces its genetic material in response to different environments, but they didn't know exactly how this process works.

To figure this out, the scientists used a special method that allowed them to look at the genetic material of the bacteria very closely. They discovered that most of the genetic material in the bacteria was not complete - it was missing some parts. They found that this was because the molecule responsible for making the genetic material, called RNA polymerase, would sometimes pause and not finish making the whole genetic message.

The scientists also found that a specific protein called a sigma-factor was important in causing this pausing of the RNA polymerase. They also discovered that when a different molecule, called a ribosome, was busy making proteins, it helped the RNA polymerase to continue making the genetic material.

Overall, the scientists learned that this pausing of the RNA polymerase is like a stop sign for the bacteria, allowing it to adjust to different environments. This discovery could help in developing new treatments for tuberculosis in the future.

Ju X., Li S., Froom R., Wang L., Lilic M., Delbeau M., Campbell EA., Rock JM., Liu S. Incomplete transcripts dominate the Mycobacterium tuberculosis transcriptome. Nature. 2024 Feb 28. doi: 10.1038/s41586-024-07105-9.