Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 14, 2026
14:29
Visualization of Bacterial Toxin Induced Responses Using Live Cell Fluorescence Microscopy
Published on: October 1, 2012
12.6K
Structure, Evolution, and Functions of Bacterial Type III Toxin-Antitoxin Systems
Nathalie Goeders1, Ray Chai2, Bihe Chen3
1Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1QW, UK. ng394@cam.ac.uk.
Toxins
|October 1, 2016
Summary
Type III toxin-antitoxin systems use toxic endoribonucleases neutralized by RNA antitoxins. This review explores their unique features, classification, and distribution in genetics.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Toxin-antitoxin (TA) systems are genetic modules comprising a toxin and an antitoxin.
- TA systems are classified into types based on toxin-antitoxin composition.
- Type III TA systems feature a toxic endoribonuclease neutralized by a non-coding RNA antitoxin.
Approach:
- This review focuses on Type III TA systems.
- It explores their classification into subtypes via bioinformatic analysis.
- The review examines the characteristics of RNA antitoxins and their impact on toxin-antitoxin co-evolution.
Key Points:
- Type III TA systems involve RNA antitoxins in a pseudoknotted configuration.
- These systems were discovered through phage resistance and abortive infection phenotypes.
- Some Type III TA systems exhibit bifunctional roles in plasmid stabilization.
Conclusions:
- The review presents an updated analysis of Type III TA system distribution and diversity.
- It discusses the co-evolutionary dynamics shaped by quaternary structures.
- Understanding Type III TA systems offers insights into genetic stability and phage defense mechanisms.
Keywords:
abortive infectionaltruistic suicidebacteriophagesco-evolutionendoribonucleasepseudoknotted RNAquaternary structurestype III toxin-antitoxinMore Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:17Gram-negative Bacterial Protein Secretion Systems
1.3K
Gram-negative bacteria utilize sophisticated protein secretion systems to transport proteins across their double-membrane envelope into the extracellular environment or host cells. Based on their mechanism of action, these systems are classified into one-step and two-step pathways.One-Step Secretion Systems (Types I, III, IV, and VI)One-step secretion systems bypass the periplasm entirely, forming a continuous channel that spans both the inner and outer membranes:Type I Secretion System (T1SS):...
1.3K
01:36Types of Toxins
3.9K
Humans continually engage with an environment rich in potentially harmful chemicals. These are introduced to our bodies through inhalation, ingestion, or skin contact. These chemicals exist in various forms, such as air and environmental pollutants, agricultural chemicals, organic solvents, and heavy metals.
Air pollutants, primarily gases, pose significant threats to respiratory health, leading to conditions like hypoxia, lung cancer, and in extreme cases, death.
Environmental pollutants like...
Air pollutants, primarily gases, pose significant threats to respiratory health, leading to conditions like hypoxia, lung cancer, and in extreme cases, death.
Environmental pollutants like...
3.9K
01:17Antidotes
1.3K
Antidotes are medicinal substances used to counteract the harmful effects of toxins or drugs in the body. They function in various ways, each uniquely designed to combat specific toxic compounds.
Specific antidotes operate by inhibiting the enzymes that control biochemical pathways, reducing the production of harmful metabolites.
An example of an antidote is atropine, which counteracts the detrimental effects of cholinesterase inhibitors. It achieves this by deactivating muscarinic receptors,...
Specific antidotes operate by inhibiting the enzymes that control biochemical pathways, reducing the production of harmful metabolites.
An example of an antidote is atropine, which counteracts the detrimental effects of cholinesterase inhibitors. It achieves this by deactivating muscarinic receptors,...
1.3K
01:23Antimicrobial Proteins
15.2K
Antimicrobial proteins are important components of the immune system. They aid the body in combating pathogens by either killing them directly or hindering their replication processes. Four main types of antimicrobial substances are interferons, the complement system, iron-binding proteins, and antimicrobial proteins.
Interferons
Interferons (IFNs) are proteins produced by lymphocytes, macrophages, and fibroblasts infected with viruses. While IFNs cannot prevent viruses from entering and...
Interferons
Interferons (IFNs) are proteins produced by lymphocytes, macrophages, and fibroblasts infected with viruses. While IFNs cannot prevent viruses from entering and...
15.2K
02:53CRISPR and crRNAs
19.5K
Bacteria and archaea are susceptible to viral infections just like eukaryotes; therefore, they have developed a unique adaptive immune system to protect themselves. Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats and CRISPR-associated proteins (CRISPR-Cas) are present in more than 45% of known bacteria and 90% of known archaea.
The CRISPR-Cas system stores a copy of foreign DNA in the host genome and uses it to identify the foreign DNA upon reinfection. CRISPR-Cas has three different...
The CRISPR-Cas system stores a copy of foreign DNA in the host genome and uses it to identify the foreign DNA upon reinfection. CRISPR-Cas has three different...
19.5K
01:31Defense Against Bacterial Pathogens
3.3K
The human immune system is a complex network of cells, tissues, and organs that work together to defend the body against bacterial infections. It consists of various immune cells, each playing a specific role in the defense mechanism.
Phagocytes
Phagocytes are the frontline soldiers of the immune system. They include neutrophils and macrophages. Neutrophils are the most abundant type of white blood cell and are quickly mobilized to the site of infection. Macrophages are larger cells that patrol...
Phagocytes
Phagocytes are the frontline soldiers of the immune system. They include neutrophils and macrophages. Neutrophils are the most abundant type of white blood cell and are quickly mobilized to the site of infection. Macrophages are larger cells that patrol...
3.3K