Non-coding small RNAs (sRNAs) regulate a wide range of physiological processes in microorganisms that allow them to rapidly respond to changes in environmental conditions. sRNAs have predominantly been studied in a few model organisms, however it is becoming increasingly clear that sRNAs play a crucial role in environmentally relevant pathways. For example, several sRNAs have been shown to control important enzymatic processes within the nitrogen cycle and many more have been identified in nitrogen cycling organisms that remain to be characterised. Alongside these studies meta-transcriptomic data indicates both known and putative sRNA are expressed in microbial communities and are potentially linked to changes in environmental processes in these habitats. This review describes the current picture of the function of regulatory sRNAs in biogeochemical cycles, with specific focus on the nitrogen cycle. Anthropogenic influences have led to a shift in the nitrogen cycle resulting in an increase in microbial emissions of the potent greenhouse gas nitrous oxide into the atmosphere. As the genetic, physiological, and environmental factors regulating the microbial processes responsible for the production and consumption of are not fully understood, this represents a critical knowledge gap in the development of future mitigation strategies.

中文翻译：

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微生物小RNA-生物地球化学循环中缺少的环节？

非编码小RNA（sRNA）调节微生物中的各种生理过程，从而使它们能够快速响应环境条件的变化。sRNA主要在几种模型生物中进行了研究，但是越来越清楚的是，sRNA在与环境有关的途径中起着至关重要的作用。例如，已显示出几种sRNA在氮循环中控制重要的酶促过程，在氮循环生物中还发现了更多尚待表征的sRNA。除了这些研究，超转录组数据还表明已知和推定的sRNA均在微生物群落中表达，并可能与这些生境中环境过程的变化有关。这篇综述描述了调节性sRNA在生物地球化学循环中的功能的当前情况，特别关注氮循环。人为的影响导致氮循环的改变，导致有效的温室气体一氧化二氮排放到大气中的微生物数量增加。由于尚未完全了解调节微生物产生和消耗的微生物过程的遗传，生理和环境因素，因此这代表了未来缓解策略发展中的关键知识缺口。