Next to proteins also RNAs can bind c-di-GMP and function as c-di-GMP effectors. Conserved RNA domains located in the 5´UTR of mRNAs have been demonstrated to be c-di-GMP targets and to affect gene expression via the formation of riboswitches. Those c-di GMP-dependent riboswitches are present in various bacterial species but they have not been identified in the opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

In this project we will apply extensive RNA profiling and systematically monitor cellular translation processes by ribosome profiling in order to specifically analyze the influence of c-di-GMP as post–transcriptional modulators of gene expression in P. aeruginosa.