以色列魏茨曼科学研究所Rotem Sorek课题组发现,细菌Retron参与抗噬菌体防御。2020年11月5日,《细胞》杂志在线发表了这项成果。
Title: Bacterial Retrons Function In Anti-Phage Defense
Author: Adi Millman, Aude Bernheim, Avigail Stokar-Avihail, Taya Fedorenko, Maya Voichek, Azita Leavitt, Yaara Oppenheimer-Shaanan, Rotem Sorek
Issue&Volume: 2020-11-05
Abstract: Retrons are bacterial genetic elements comprised of a reverse transcriptase (RT) anda non-coding RNA (ncRNA). The RT uses the ncRNA as template, generating a chimericRNA/DNA molecule in which the RNA and DNA components are covalently linked. Althoughretrons were discovered three decades ago, their function remained unknown. We reportthat retrons function as anti-phage defense systems. The defensive unit is composedof three components: the RT, the ncRNA, and an effector protein. We examined multipleretron systems and show that they confer defense against a broad range of phages viaabortive infection. Focusing on retron Ec48, we show evidence that it “guards” RecBCD,a complex with central anti-phage functions in bacteria. Inhibition of RecBCD by phageproteins activates the retron, leading to abortive infection and cell death. Thus,the Ec48 retron forms a second line of defense that is triggered if the first lines of defense have collapsed.
DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2020.09.065
Source: https://www.cell.com/cell/fulltext/S0092-8674(20)31306-4