Role of Non-Coding RNA Produced by Bacteria During Infection: Mechanisms and Functions

In recent years, the rapid advancement of bioinformatics and experimental techniques has enhanced the understanding of bacterial infection mechanisms. Traditionally, it was believed that bacteria primarily regulate host cell activities through protein products. However, the discovery of non-coding RNAs has fundamentally altered this perspective. Bacteria produce various types of non-coding RNAs, including small RNAs (sRNAs), transfer RNA (tRNA) fragments, and long-chain non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs). These non-coding RNAs play a crucial role in finely regulating host cell gene expression, immune responses, and bacterial-host interactions during infection. This paper aims to review the mechanisms and functions of non-coding RNAs produced by bacteria during infection, to explore the origins of sRNAs, tRNAs, and lncRNAs, and to examine how they influence host cells through various pathways, such as ferritin regulation, pH modulation, and alterations in antibiotic sensitivity. This review seeks to provide a scientific foundation for understanding the mechanisms of bacterial infections and for the development of novel antimicrobial therapeutic strategies.