Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Restriction Enzymes01:11

Restriction Enzymes

Restriction enzymes are bacterial enzymes used to cut DNA in a sequence-specific manner. To cleave DNA, they bind to specific palindromic sequences called restriction sites. Such palindromic DNA sequences or inverted repeats are commonly found in regions of functional significance, such as the origin of replication, gene operator sites, and regions containing transcription termination signals.
The host bacteria protect their own genomic DNA from these enzymes by methylating these sites. Some...
RNA Interference01:23

RNA Interference

RNA interference (RNAi) is a process in which a small non-coding RNA molecule blocks the post-transcriptional expression of a gene by binding to its messenger RNA (mRNA) and preventing the protein from being translated.
This process occurs naturally in cells, often through the activity of genomically-encoded microRNAs. Researchers can take advantage of this mechanism by introducing synthetic RNAs to deactivate specific genes for research or therapeutic purposes. For example, RNAi could be used...
Bacterial Toxins01:12

Bacterial Toxins

Bacterial toxins are sophisticated virulence factors that enable pathogenic bacteria to interact with, invade, and damage host tissues. These toxins fall broadly into two types: protein exotoxins, which are secreted into the environment and target specific host receptors, and lipopolysaccharide endotoxins, which are structural components of the bacterial outer membrane released primarily during bacterial lysis or membrane shedding. Exotoxins generally act more selectively, binding to cell...
Types of RNA01:23

Types of RNA

Overview
Three main types of RNA are involved in protein synthesis: messenger RNA (mRNA), transfer RNA (tRNA), and ribosomal RNA (rRNA). These RNAs perform diverse functions and can be broadly classified as protein-coding or non-coding RNA. Non-coding RNAs play important roles in the regulation of gene expression in response to developmental and environmental changes. Non-coding RNAs in prokaryotes can be manipulated to develop more effective antibacterial drugs for human or animal use.
RNA...
Ribozymes02:47

Ribozymes

The term ribozyme is used for RNA that can act as an enzyme. Ribozymes are mainly found in selected viruses, bacteria, plant organelles, and lower eukaryotes. Ribozymes were first discovered in 1982 when Tom Cech’s laboratory observed Group I introns acting as enzymes. This was shortly followed by the discovery of another ribozyme, Ribonulcease P, by Sid Altman’s laboratory. Both Cech and Altman received the Nobel Prize in chemistry in 1989 for their work on ribozymes.
Ribozymes can be...
Experimental RNAi02:15

Experimental RNAi

RNA interference (RNAi) is a cellular mechanism that inhibits gene expression by suppressing its transcription or activating the RNA degradation process. The mechanism was discovered by Andrew Fire and Craig Mello in 1998 in plants. Today, it is observed in almost all eukaryotes, including protozoa, flies, nematodes, insects, parasites, and mammals. This precise cellular mechanism of gene silencing has been developed into a technique that provides an efficient way to identify and determine the...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Treatment efficacy of non-metal and single-retainer resin-bonded prostheses for anterior single-tooth loss: A systematic review.

Journal of prosthodontic research·2026
Same author

Regulation of HIV-2 Vpx/Vpr expression by the poly-proline motif: Enhancement of protein dimerization and translation.

Virology·2026
Same author

Structure-Guided Evaluation of Thiol-Based Fluorescent Probes for Selective Detection and Inhibition of Metallo-β-Lactamases.

Biological & pharmaceutical bulletin·2026
Same author

Overexpression of the translocon accessory protein YajC alleviates toxicity of the endogenous pore-forming toxin LdrA in Escherichia coli.

PloS one·2025
Same author

Association of Combined Enzymatic and Surgical Debridement with Clinical Outcomes in Extensive Burn Patients.

Journal of clinical medicine·2025
Same author

Clinical practice guidelines in primary treatment for temporomandibular disorders: The Japanese Society for the Temporomandibular Joint, 2023 edition.

Journal of prosthodontic research·2025

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 25, 2026

Fluorescence Based Primer Extension Technique to Determine Transcriptional Starting Points and Cleavage Sites of RNases In Vivo
10:51

Fluorescence Based Primer Extension Technique to Determine Transcriptional Starting Points and Cleavage Sites of RNases In Vivo

Published on: October 31, 2014

mRNA interferases, sequence-specific endoribonucleases from the toxin-antitoxin systems.

Yoshihiro Yamaguchi1, Masayori Inouye

  • 1Department of Biochemistry, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA.

Progress in Molecular Biology and Translational Science
|February 14, 2009
PubMed
Summary

Bacterial mRNA interferases, like E. coli MazF, are toxins that regulate cell growth and death. These enzymes cleave specific mRNA sequences, influencing gene expression and programmed cell death in bacteria.

More Related Videos

Overexpressing and Purifying a Toxic Nuclease from Escherichia coli
08:13

Overexpressing and Purifying a Toxic Nuclease from Escherichia coli

Published on: August 29, 2025

In Vitro Directed Evolution of a Restriction Endonuclease with More Stringent Specificity
09:16

In Vitro Directed Evolution of a Restriction Endonuclease with More Stringent Specificity

Published on: March 25, 2020

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 25, 2026

Fluorescence Based Primer Extension Technique to Determine Transcriptional Starting Points and Cleavage Sites of RNases In Vivo
10:51

Fluorescence Based Primer Extension Technique to Determine Transcriptional Starting Points and Cleavage Sites of RNases In Vivo

Published on: October 31, 2014

Overexpressing and Purifying a Toxic Nuclease from Escherichia coli
08:13

Overexpressing and Purifying a Toxic Nuclease from Escherichia coli

Published on: August 29, 2025

In Vitro Directed Evolution of a Restriction Endonuclease with More Stringent Specificity
09:16

In Vitro Directed Evolution of a Restriction Endonuclease with More Stringent Specificity

Published on: March 25, 2020

Area of Science:

  • Bacteriology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Bacteria possess numerous toxin genes, including mRNA interferases, which regulate cell growth and death.
  • MazF from Escherichia coli is an ACA-specific endoribonuclease, known as an mRNA interferase.
  • Other bacterial mRNA interferases with distinct sequence specificities are implicated in stress response and elimination of damaged cells.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the diverse roles of mRNA interferases in bacterial physiology.
  • To investigate the significance of mRNA interferase homologues in different bacterial species.
  • To propose a broader function for mRNA interferases in bacterial gene expression regulation.

Main Methods:

  • Comparative analysis of mRNA interferase sequences and their recognition sites across different bacterial species.
  • Review of existing literature on the function of mRNA interferases in growth regulation, programmed cell death, and stress response.
  • Bioinformatic analysis of gene representation in relation to mRNA interferase recognition sequences.

Main Results:

  • MazF homologues with 5-base recognition sequences have been identified in bacteria like Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
  • These specific recognition sequences are underrepresented in genes related to immunity and pathogenesis in M. tuberculosis.
  • An mRNA interferase in Myxococcus xanthus is crucial for programmed cell death during development.

Conclusions:

  • mRNA interferases contribute to bacterial growth regulation and programmed cell death.
  • These enzymes may also play a role in the positive or negative regulation of specific gene expression in bacteria.
  • The findings suggest a multifaceted role for mRNA interferases in bacterial survival and adaptation.