Figure 4.

Schematic representation of a complex and multilayered protein network engaged in persistence formation in E. coli via TA complexes. The central part illustrates Lon protease as an example of antitoxin degrading proteases, which also include ClpXP and ClpAP. MazEF is shown as an exemplar type II module in which the toxin is an endoribonuclease. Only the relevant, most well-described interactions are displayed. Colored boxes denote toxins (red), antitoxins (blue), Lon protease (yellow), other proteins (dark grey), small molecules (light grey), and cellular processes and structures (purple). Arrows, stimulation; broken lines ending in balls, inhibition.