Posttranslationally modified microcins
Pavlova, O.A.; Severinov, K.V.
Genetika 42(12): 1636-1646
2006
ISSN/ISBN: 0016-6758 PMID: 17326383 Document Number: 597953
Microcins are antibacterial compounds that are encoded in the bacterial genome and synthesized via ribosomal translation. Microcins play an important role in microbial ecology and are promising as antibiotics. To exert their effect, most microcins are incorporated in the membrane of sensitive cells to increase its permeability. The review considers the known classes of posttranslationally modified microcins. These microcins are unusual in structure and inhibit the grown of sensitive cells by entering their cytoplasm and affecting intracellular targets, such as DNA gyrase, DNA-dependent RNA polymerase, and aspartyl-tRNA synthase.