Functions of bacterial Toxin-Antitoxin systems.

Author: Zhili HE ¹ ; Hui WANG ¹
Author Information

1. State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Academy of Military Sciences, Beijing 100071, China.
Publication Type:Journal Article
Keywords: Toxin-Antitoxin system; bacterial virulence; biofilm; environmental adaptability; persisters
From: Chinese Journal of Biotechnology 2018;34(8):1270-1278
CountryChina
Language:Chinese
Abstract: TA (Toxin-Antitoxin) systems are widely spread in chromosomes and plasmids of bacteria and archaea. These systems consist of two co-expression genes, encoding stable toxin and sensitive antitoxin, respectively. The toxicity of toxins usually inhibits bacterial growth and antitoxins can neutralize the toxins. Interaction between them would regulate the growth state of bacteria precisely. According to the composition of TA and nature of antitoxin, six types of TA have been found. The role of these TA systems in bacteria has been a hot research topic in recent years. Now, the research status on functions of bacterial TA is reviewed.