# STnc520, a virulence-associated regulatory RNA in Salmonella Typhimurium

> **NIH NIH R03** · WADSWORTH CENTER · 2021 · $82,616

## Abstract

SUMMARY
Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium is a major cause of foodborne illness in the USA and worldwide. During
the initial stages of infection, S. Typhimurium invades gut epithelial cells. Expression of genes required for
invasion is controlled by a group of transcription factors encoded with the SPI-1 pathogenicity island. We have
recently mapped the regulatory targets of these transcription factors. The majority of the regulatory interactions
we identified have not been previously described. Thus, the regulatory network associated with invasion is
considerably more complex than previously appreciated. Moreover, our work strongly suggests an important role
for regulatory RNAs during invasion. Of particular interest is the regulatory RNA STnc520, whose expression is
coordinated with that of other invasion genes, and which has been suggested to be important for establishing an
infection in three animal models, based on data from high-throughput transposon screens. Here, we will
determine the requirement for STnc520 for S. Typhimurium to invade epithelial cells, both in vitro and in vivo.
We will also identify direct regulatory targets of STnc520. Thus, we will establish the role of STnc520 during
invasion, laying the foundation for future studies of this and other regulatory RNAs that promote invasion.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10128293
- **Project number:** 1R03AI150987-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** WADSWORTH CENTER
- **Principal Investigator:** Joseph Thomas Wade
- **Activity code:** R03 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $82,616
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2020-12-01 → 2022-11-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10128293

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10128293, STnc520, a virulence-associated regulatory RNA in Salmonella Typhimurium (1R03AI150987-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10128293. Licensed CC0.

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