Function
Binds to and is sequestered by non-coding small RNAs (sRNA) CsrB and CsrC which antagonize the activity of CsrA (PubMed:9211896, PubMed:12694612). The consensus RNA-binding site is CAGGA(U/A/C)G which is located in probable hairpin loops (PubMed:9211896). There are 18 sites in CsrB, which cooperatively binds about 18 copies of CsrA (PubMed:9211896, PubMed:12694612). CsrC has 9 sites, and cooperatively binds multiple copies of CsrA (PubMed:12694612). Indirectly activates expression of CsrB and CsrC, both dependently and independently of the BarA-UvrY two-component system (PubMed:12193630, PubMed:12694612). ppGpp activates transcription of CsrA-antagonistic small RNAs CsrB and CsrC, which downregulates CsrA's action on translation during the stringent response (PubMed:21488981).