7qda

Publication Abstract from PubMed

CRISPR defence systems such as the well-known DNA-targeting Cas9 and the RNA-targeting type III systems are widespread in prokaryotes(1,2). The latter orchestrates a complex antiviral response that is initiated through the synthesis of cyclic oligoadenylates after recognition of foreign RNA(3-5). Among the large set of proteins that are linked to type III systems and predicted to bind cyclic oligoadenylates(6,7), a CRISPR-associated Lon protease (CalpL) stood out to us. CalpL contains a sensor domain of the SAVED family(7) fused to a Lon protease effector domain. However, the mode of action of this effector is unknown. Here we report the structure and function of CalpL and show that this soluble protein forms a stable tripartite complex with two other proteins, CalpT and CalpS, that are encoded on the same operon. After activation by cyclic tetra-adenylate (cA(4)), CalpL oligomerizes and specifically cleaves the MazF homologue CalpT, which releases the extracytoplasmic function sigma factor CalpS from the complex. Our data provide a direct connection between CRISPR-based detection of foreign nucleic acids and transcriptional regulation. Furthermore, the presence of a SAVED domain that binds cyclic tetra-adenylate in a CRISPR effector reveals a link to the cyclic-oligonucleotide-based antiphage signalling system.

Antiviral signalling by a cyclic nucleotide activated CRISPR protease.,Rouillon C, Schneberger N, Chi H, Blumenstock K, Da Vela S, Ackermann K, Moecking J, Peter MF, Boenigk W, Seifert R, Bode BE, Schmid-Burgk JL, Svergun D, Geyer M, White MF, Hagelueken G Nature. 2023 Feb;614(7946):168-174. doi: 10.1038/s41586-022-05571-7. Epub 2022 , Nov 24. PMID:36423657^[1]

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.