Conserved domains can be found across distinct phage defence systems

Mariano, G.; Blower, T.R.

doi:10.1111/mmi.15047

Conserved domains can be found across distinct phage defence systems

Mariano, G.; Blower, T.R.

Authors

G. Mariano

Professor Tim Blower timothy.blower@durham.ac.uk
Professor

Abstract

Bacteria are continuously exposed to predation from bacteriophages (phages) and, in response, have evolved a broad range of defence systems. These systems can prevent the replication of phages and other mobile genetic elements (MGE). Defence systems are often encoded together in genomic loci defined as “defence islands”, a tendency that has been extensively exploited to identify novel antiphage systems. In the last few years, >100 new antiphage systems have been discovered, and some display homology to components of the immune systems of plants and animals. In many instances, prediction tools have found domains with similar predicted functions present as different combinations within distinct antiphage systems. In this Perspective Article, we review recent reports describing the discovery and the predicted domain composition of several novel antiphage systems. We discuss several examples of similar protein domains adopted by different antiphage systems, including domains of unknown function (DUFs), domains involved in nucleic acid recognition and degradation, and domains involved in NAD+ depletion. We further discuss the potential evolutionary advantages that could have driven the independent acquisition of these domains by different antiphage systems.

Citation

Mariano, G., & Blower, T. (2023). Conserved domains can be found across distinct phage defence systems. Molecular Microbiology, 120(1), 45-53. https://doi.org/10.1111/mmi.15047

Journal Article Type	Article
Acceptance Date	Feb 16, 2023
Online Publication Date	Feb 24, 2023
Publication Date	2023-07
Deposit Date	Mar 10, 2023
Publicly Available Date	Mar 10, 2023
Journal	Molecular Microbiology
Print ISSN	0950-382X
Electronic ISSN	1365-2958
Publisher	Wiley
Peer Reviewed	Peer Reviewed
Volume	120
Issue	1
Pages	45-53
DOI	https://doi.org/10.1111/mmi.15047
Public URL	https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1177400

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