RNA and RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) can play key regulatory roles in the interaction of pathogenic bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and viruses with hosts. RNA and RPBs can be important players in orchestrating the pathogenic strategy, as well as determining the host defense response.

Bacterial small RNAs (sRNA), alone or in concert with RBPs, can regulate many functions involved in pathogenic lifestyle. In fungal pathogens, sRNAs, such as miRNAs, are involved via RNA interference (RNAi) mechanisms in the regulation of pathogenesis-related genes. In addition, there is emerging evidence that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) participate in fungal pathogenesis. Fungi can also transfer sRNAs inside the host to suppress host immunity genes to increase virulence. There may be a response from the hosts that in turn transfer sRNAs into the fungal pathogens to induce RNAi and reduce virulence. In parasitic protozoa, PIWI proteins, a particular class of RBPs, and the sRNAs called piRNAs play a role in regulating host-parasite interactions. Finally, there is the emerging field of sRNAs encoded by RNA viruses, aimed at the characterization of their biogenesis and functional relevance in the context of host-pathogen interaction.

In addition, there is another important aspect to consider. Both in bacterial and fungal pathogens, there is increasing evidence that the regulation of gene expression by RNA and RPBs may be the basis of antimicrobial resistance.

This Research Topic aims to bring together further evidence of the relevance of the role of RNA and RBPs in host-pathogen interaction and antimicrobial resistance. A better understanding of these mechanisms may, in the future, lead to the development of new and effective tools for the control of pathogen infections in a variety of organisms. Furthermore, as this topic addresses strategies adopted by a wide range of pathogens, emphasis can be placed on both similarities and differences adopted in different domains of life, as well as in viruses.

We invite contributions in the form of original Research Articles, Reviews, Mini-Reviews, and Perspectives. This research topic will cover a broad range of themes, including but not limited to the following main areas of interest:

• Roles of bacterial sRNAs and RBPs in the regulation of factors involved in the strategies of early host infection and further colonization, persistence in the host, and pathogenesis.

• Regulatory pathways mediated by bacterial sRNAs and RBPs that lead to persistence in the host and are associated with resistance and/or tolerance to antibiotics.

• Roles of sRNAs and lncRNAs, including posttranscriptional gene silencing, histone modification, and chromatin remodeling in fungal pathogenesis and antifungal drug resistance and/or tolerance.

• Fungal mechanisms of sRNA transfer to the host to interfere with host defense.

• Mechanisms of gene regulation in protozoa-host interaction involving sRNAs and RPBs.

• Roles of sRNAs and RPBs, including also RNA sensors, in host immune response.

• Viral sRNAs, including the recently discovered circular RNAs (circRNAs), with proviral functions in the quarrel between the host and the virus.

Are you interested in contributing a manuscript to this Research Topic?

Regulatory RNA and RNA-binding proteins in host-pathogen interaction and antimicrobial resistance

Topic Coordinator