Authors: Michael A Meehl, Jerome S Pinkner, Patricia J Anderson, Scott J Hultgren, Michael G Caparon
DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.0010035
Abstract Summary
Researchers discovered IFS, a bacterial protein that protects Streptococcus pyogenes from its own toxic enzyme SPN. This small inhibitor binds SPN in a 1:1 ratio, blocking its cell-damaging activity and proving essential for bacterial survival. The finding reveals how bacteria safely produce potent toxins and enabled safer toxin production for research purposes.
Why Brain? ðŸ§
Researchers discovered IFS, a bacterial protein that protects Streptococcus pyogenes from its own toxic enzyme SPN, revealing how bacteria avoid self-harm while causing disease in humans.
The image is AI-generated for illustrative purposes only. Courtesy of Midjourney.
