Cells never forget to take out the trash. It has long been known that cells tag proteins for degradation by labeling them with ubiquitin, a signal described as “the molecular kiss of death”. Now a research group has identified an analogous system in gram-positive bacteria, where the role of a degradation tag is fulfilled by a little known post-translational modification: arginine phosphorylation. The discovery opens new avenues for designing antibacterial therapies.

Source: How cells take out the trash: The 'phospho-kiss of death' deciphered


David Cottle

UBB Owner & Administrator