Directed evolution of SecB chaperones toward toxin-antitoxin systems

Significance Toxin-antitoxin (TA) systems are small genetic modules known to modulate bacterial growth in response to stress. Their major contribution to the formation of persister cells and to the virulence of several important pathogens has highlighted them as promising new targets for therapy. TA-chaperone (TAC) modules are atypical TA systems tightly controlled by a third partner: a molecular chaperone that directly assists the antitoxin....