The binding of Class II sRNA MgrR to two different sites on matchmaker protein Hfq enables efficient competition for Hfq and annealing to regulated mRNAs

MgrR is an Hfq-dependent sRNA, whose transcription is controlled by the level of Mg(2+) ions in Escherichia coli. MgrR belongs to Class II sRNAs because its stability in the cell is affected by mutations in Hfq differently than canonical, Class I sRNAs. Here, we examined the effect of mutations in RNA binding sites of Hfq on the kinetics of the annealing of MgrR to two different target mRNAs, eptB and ygdQ, by global data fitting of the reaction kinetics monitored by gel electrophoresis of intermediates and products. The data showed that the mutation on the rim of the Hfq ring trapped MgrR on Hfq preventing the annealing of MgrR to either mRNA. The mutation in the distal face slowed the ternary complex formation and affected the release of MgrR-mRNA complexes from Hfq, while the mutation in the proximal face weakened the MgrR binding to Hfq and in this way affected the annealing. Moreover, competition assays established that MgrR bound to both faces of Hfq and competed against other sRNAs. Further studies showed that uridine-rich sequences located in less structurally stable regions served as Hfq binding sites in each mRNA. Overall, the data show that the binding of MgrR sRNA to both faces of the Hfq ring enables it to efficiently anneal to target mRNAs. It also confers on MgrR a competitive advantage over other sRNAs, which could contribute to efficient cellular response to changes in magnesium homeostasis.