Hfq protein

Hfq is a small, highly conserved RNA-binding protein found in many bacteria and some archaea. It plays a critical role in post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression by interacting with small non-coding RNAs (sRNAs) and their target mRNAs. Hfq acts as a chaperone that helps stabilize sRNAs and facilitates their binding to target mRNAs, thereby influencing mRNA translation and degradation.