Protein
mRNA interferase toxin HigB
Organism
Escherichia coli (strain K12)
Function
Toxic component of a type II toxin-antitoxin (TA) system. A probable translation-dependent mRNA interferase. Overexpression causes cessation of cell growth and inhibits cell proliferation via inhibition of translation; this blockage is overcome by subsequent expression of antitoxin HigA. Overexpression causes cleavage of a number of mRNAs in a translation-dependent fashion, suggesting this is an mRNA interferase. mRNA interferases play a role in bacterial persistence to antibiotics; overexpression of this protein induces persisters resistant to ciprofloxacin and ampicillin (PubMed:21788497).
Similarity
Belongs to the HigB mRNA interferase family.
Sequence
MHLITQKALKDAAEKYPQHKTELVALGNTIAKGYFKKPESLKAVFPSLDNFKYLDKHYVFNVGGNELRVVAMVFFESQKCYIREVMTHKEYDFFTAVHRTKGKK