Bacillus subtilis MazF-bs (EndoA) is a UACAU-specific mRNA interferase

► MazF-bs from Bacillus subtilis is an mRNA interferase. ► MazF-bs specifically cleaves a five-base sequence, UACAU. ► Many MazF homologues in Gram-positive bacteria were highly homologous to MazF-bs. ► UACAU is highly represented in B. subtilis genes for the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites.