Protein
mRNA interferase toxin YafO
Organism
Escherichia coli (strain K12)
Function
Toxic component of a type II toxin-antitoxin (TA) system. A 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 YafN. Overexpression causes cleavage of a number of mRNAs in a ribosome-dependent fashion. YafO binding to the 50S ribosomal subunit in the translation complex induces mRNA cleavage 3' to the region protected by the ribosome; YafO alone is not able to digest mRNA. mRNA interferases play a role in bacterial persistence to antibiotics; overexpression of this protein induces persisters resistant to ciprofloxacin and ampicillin (PubMed:21788497).
Sequence
MRVFKTKLIRLQLTAEELDALTADFISYKRDGVLPDIFGRDALYDDSFTWPLIKFERVAHIHLANENNPFPPQLRQFSRTNDEAHLVYCQGAFDEQAWLLIAILKPEPHKLARDNNQMHKIGKMAEAFRMRF