Novel type II toxin-antitoxin systems with VapD-like proteins.

ABSTRACT: Type II toxin-antitoxin (TA) systems are widespread in prokaryotes. They consist of neighboring genes encoding two small proteins: a toxin that inhibits a critical cellular process and an antitoxin that binds to and neutralizes the toxin. The VapD nuclease and the VapX antitoxin comprise a type II TA system that contributes to the virulence of the human pathogen Haemophilus influenzae. We analyzed the diversity and evolution of VapD-like proteins. By examining loci adjacent to genes coding for VapD-like proteins, we identified two novel families of antitoxins, which we named VapY and VapW. VapD toxins cognate to novel antitoxins induce the SOS response when overproduced, suggesting they target cellular processes related to genomic DNA integrity, maintenance, or replication. Though V

SUBMITTER: Gilep K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11980593 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature