Revealing sRNA expression profiles of NDM-5-producing CRKP and explore the role of sRNA207 in NDM-5-producing CRKP resistance

sRNAs form a regulatory network that regulates bacterial virulence, drug resistance, and other functions by targeting mRNAs. However, sRNA expression profile and function of NDM-5-producing carbapenem-resistant <i>Klebsiella pneumoniae</i> (CRKP) are still unknown. In this study, we analyzed the sRNA expression profiles of NDM-5-producing CRKP obtained from clinical by referring to the methods of previous articles. A total of 268 candidates sRNAs were obtained, of which 248 were newly discovered. More importantly, 13 sRNAs were differentially expressed in NDM-5-producing CRKP compared with CSKP. We knocked down sRNA207 in NDM-5-producing CRKP to validate its effect on <i>smf</i>-1, biofilm, and resistance of strains. We also confirmed the role of <i>smf</i>-1 in biofilm formation and drug resistance of NDM-5-producing CRKP by constructing <i>smf</i>-1-knockdown strain. The results suggest that <i>smf</i>-1 is the target gene of sRNA207. Increased expression of sRNA207 in NDM-5-producing CRKP stabilizes <i>smf</i>-1 expression, which in turn affects the resistance of the strains through biofilm formation.