Diversity of bacterial degradosomes and degradosome-like networks

Regulation of RNA pools in bacteria is a fundamentally important process to allow for survival and adaptation to changing environments. RNA degradation is an important piece of this regulation carried out, in part, by the core RNA degradosome, which is a multiprotein complex composed of ribonucleases (RNases), RNA helicases, and sometimes central carbon metabolic enzymes. In this review, we highlight the diversity in degradosome composition across all phyla of bacteria and the differences between stable degradosomes and the more recently recognized transient degradosome-like networks (DLNs). Additionally, we describe advancements in understanding the RNA targets and subcellular organization of degradosomes/DLNs. Importantly, we discuss the roles of RNA degradosomes/DLNs during physiologically relevant stress as well as virulence. Our review reveals the great diversity among degradosomes/DLNs and underscores the need to study a range of bacterial species in this field beyond traditional model systems.