Antibacterial Toxins: Gram-Positive Bacteria Strike Back!

Trends Microbiol. 2018 Feb;26(2):89-91. doi: 10.1016/j.tim.2017.11.003. Epub 2017 Nov 21.

Abstract

Bacteria live in communities where strains compete with each other by deploying an arsenal of antibacterial toxins. While the past decade revealed the vast array of antibacterial toxins secreted by Gram-negative bacteria, several recent studies have begun to uncover the ability of Gram-positive bacteria to battle with their own weapons.

Keywords: competition; firmicutes; secretion; toxin.

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / metabolism*
  • Bacterial Proteins / metabolism
  • Bacterial Secretion Systems / metabolism
  • Bacterial Toxins / metabolism*
  • Gram-Negative Bacteria / metabolism
  • Gram-Positive Bacteria / metabolism*
  • Protein Domains
  • Virulence Factors

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Bacterial Proteins
  • Bacterial Secretion Systems
  • Bacterial Toxins
  • Virulence Factors