An RNA-binding protein secreted byListeria monocytogenesactivates RIG-I signaling
SummaryRecent studies have reported on the presence of bacterial RNA within or outside extracellular membrane vesicles, possibly as ribonucleoprotein complexes. Proteins that bind and stabilize bacterial RNAs in the extracellular environment have not been reported. Here, we show that the bacterial pathogenListeria monocytogenessecretes a small RNA binding protein that we named Zea. We show that Zea binds and stabilizes a subset ofL. monocytogenesRNAs causing their accumulation in the extracellular medium. Furthermore, Zea binds RIG-I, the vertebrate non-self-RNA innate immunity sensor and potentiates RIG-I-signaling leading to interferon β production. By performingin vivoinfection, we finally show that Zea modulatesL. monocytogenesvirulence. Together, this study reveals that bacterial extracellular RNAs and RNA binding proteins can affect the host-pathogen crosstalk.