Abstract
In many genomes, toxin-antitoxin (TA) systems have been identified; however, their role in cell physiology has been unclear. Here we examine the evidence that TA systems are involved in biofilm formation and persister cell formation and that these systems may be important regulators of the switch from the planktonic to the biofilm lifestyle as a stress response by their control of secondary messenger 3',5'-cyclic diguanylic acid. Specifically, upon stress, the sequence-specific mRNA interferases MqsR and MazF mediate cell survival. In addition, we propose that TA systems are not redundant, as they may have developed to respond to specific stresses.
Publication types
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Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
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Review
MeSH terms
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Antitoxins / genetics
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Antitoxins / metabolism*
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Bacterial Toxins / genetics
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Bacterial Toxins / metabolism*
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Biofilms*
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DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics
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DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism
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Escherichia coli / genetics
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Escherichia coli / growth & development
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Escherichia coli / physiology*
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Escherichia coli Proteins / genetics
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Escherichia coli Proteins / metabolism
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Gene Deletion
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Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial
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Genes, Bacterial
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Genetic Loci
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Quorum Sensing
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RNA, Messenger / metabolism
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Species Specificity
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Stress, Physiological*
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Transcription, Genetic
Substances
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Antitoxins
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Bacterial Toxins
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DNA-Binding Proteins
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Escherichia coli Proteins
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MqsA protein, E coli
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MqsR protein, E coli
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RNA, Messenger