Characterization of the novel yafD-yafE toxin-antitoxin system

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K05347
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 38020:Applied microbiology-related
• Research Institution: Osaka Metropolitan University (2022-2023); Osaka City University (2021)
• Principal Investigator: Yamaguchi Yoshihiro 大阪公立大学, 大学院理学研究科, 准教授 (00737009)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 生育制御 / toxin-antitoxin system

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This study aims to identify the targets and mechanisms of action of the newly identified YafD-YafE TA system in Escherichia coli, as well as to elucidate the neutralization mechanism of YafD toxicity by the YafE antitoxin and to understand its physiological role. To identify the targets of the YafD toxin, a suppressor gene screening was carried out. Three genes were identified as candidate suppressor genes. However, it was demonstrated that the products of these genes are not the targets of YafD. Additionally, the nutrient starvation factor, ppGpp, was found not to be involved in the growth inhibitory activity of YafD, and it was considered that the yafD-yafE TA system is not related to phage defense.

Free Research Field

応用微生物学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

今回、大腸菌のYafDに対するサプレッサー候補遺伝子の同定とその機能解析を行った。
本研究は、大腸菌の遺伝子機能とその調節メカニズムを解明することに貢献できる。今後、今回の実験で得られた知見をもとにYafDの標的が同定されれば、病原菌制御や抗生物質耐性の克服、新規治療法の開発など、医療分野への応用が期待される。また、yafDE TA system の整理機能を解明できれば、微生物のストレス応答や生育調節に関する新たな知見が得られ、微生物学や分子生物学の基礎研究において重要な進展をもたす。また、YafDや関連遺伝子の機能解析は、遺伝子発現制御の新たなモデルを提供できるかもしれない。