Prokaryotic toxin-antitoxin systems - the role in bacterial physiology and application in molecular biology

• Authors: Michal Bukowski , Anna Rojowska , Benedykt Wladyka
• Languages of publication: EN

Abstracts

EN

Bacteria have developed multiple complex mechanisms ensuring an adequate response to environmental changes. In this context, bacterial cell division and growth are subject to strict control to ensure metabolic balance and cell survival. A plethora of studies cast light on toxin-antitoxin (TA) systems as metabolism regulators acting in response to environmental stress conditions. Many of those studies suggest direct relations between the TA systems and the pathogenic potential or antibiotic resistance of relevant bacteria. Other studies point out that TA systems play a significant role in ensuring stability of mobile genetic material. The evolutionary origin and relations between various TA systems are still a subject of a debate. The impact of toxin-antitoxin systems on bacteria physiology prompted their application in molecular biology as tools allowing cloning of some hard-to-maintain genes, plasmid maintenance and production of recombinant proteins.

Keywords

EN

bacteria physiology; toxin-antitoxin systems; environmental stress conditions; antibiotic resistance

• Publisher: Polish Biochemical Society
• Journal: Acta Biochimica Polonica
• Year: 2011
• Volume: 58
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 1-9

Dates

published

2011

received

2010-03-16

revised

2011-01-24

accepted

2011-03-08

(unknown)

2011-03-11

Contributors

author

Michal Bukowski

• Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland

author

Anna Rojowska

• Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland

author

Benedykt Wladyka

• Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland

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