An enzymatic functional protein has been targeted using small molecule compound.
We succesfuly found that the compound has inhibited the growth of the organism.
But, we found mRNA for that particular gene (its a operon based gene found in P.aeruginosa) also get suppressed, and housekeeping genes were expressing normally.
Can anyone explain this phenomenon ?
the protein would be also an activator of the gene's expression or a factor of stability for the mRNA and the drug would inactivate (besides the enzymatic ) this other function? Interesting observation.
Not surprising. The protein could be part of a feed-forward positive loop- increasing its own expression.
My guess is also that you are targeting a molecule that normally has a positive-regulation loop to increase its own expression. You should be able to find a good explanation of that phenomenon in any genetics textbook that includes a section on operons and feedback loops.
Am extremely Thankful to Dr. Herve Lev and Dr. Katie A Burnette.
I appreciate your basic explanationw which solved my query.
To give further information, I would like to share details below.
Initially, we thought it could be due to the effect of compound which degrades RNA after cell lysis, since compound and organism is together in the broth.
But, we found good amount of RNA is extracted and house keeping genes are functioning normal.
Then, we inoculated the broth with culture and the compound of least dilution with bactericidal effect for continous day.
We found no growth at 24 hours incubation, but found growth in 48 hours and so on.
Surprisingly, the 48hours culture showed higher expression of that particular target gene, whereas no expression at 24 hours culture.
I understood that initially, it get suppressed by the protein function, upon continous incubation with rich medium, it strives to develop resistance or make themselves to produce the target gene and protein at higher level to make them survival for sure.
Really, Bacteria are genious than us. I felt upon seeing this ability ?
It would be appreciatable for your comments on this.
Thanks in advance.
Regards
Murugan N
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