Figure 3. Gene expression control mechanisms by bacterial sRNAs.45 (A) Transcription attenuation/enhancement. (A) sRNA binds to its target mRNA and causes a structural reconfiguration upon base-pairing, ultimately enhancing or attenuating transcription by the polymerase. (B) Translational control. Translational control is imparted by sRNAs in various ways: (1) A sRNA base-pairs to its target mRNA sequestering the Ribosome-Binding Site (RBS) and directly prevents translation initiation by the ribosomes. (2) A sRNA binds to the target mRNA at a distance from the RBS and the target mRNA suffers a structural change that indirectly affects ribosome binding. sRNA binding to its target can also enhance or inhibit mRNA decay by changing interactions with exonucleases and/or endonucleases.