AI Article Synopsis
- Prokaryotic CRISPR-Cas systems face threats from phage-encoded anti-CRISPR (Acr) factors, compromising their defense mechanisms.
- Researchers discovered a phage-derived toxic protein that acts as a broad-spectrum anti-anti-CRISPR strategy, halting cell division when CRISPR-Cas effectors are inhibited.
- This mechanism not only helps expel Acr elements from bacterial populations but also enables the identification of specific Acr proteins that enhance CRISPR efficiency against non-target DNA, suggesting CRISPR-Cas systems may provide a form of herd immunity against genetic invaders.
Article Abstract
Prokaryotic clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR)-Cas systems are highly vulnerable to phage-encoded anti-CRISPR (Acr) factors. How CRISPR-Cas systems protect themselves remains unclear. Here we uncovered a broad-spectrum anti-anti-CRISPR strategy involving a phage-derived toxic protein. Transcription of this toxin is normally repressed by the CRISPR-Cas effector but is activated to halt cell division when the effector is inhibited by any anti-CRISPR proteins or RNAs. We showed that this abortive infection-like effect efficiently expels Acr elements from bacterial population. Furthermore, we exploited this anti-anti-CRISPR mechanism to develop a screening method for specific Acr candidates for a CRISPR-Cas system and successfully identified two distinct Acr proteins that enhance the binding of CRISPR effector to nontarget DNA. Our data highlight the broad-spectrum role of CRISPR-repressed toxins in counteracting various types of Acr factors. We propose that the regulatory function of CRISPR-Cas confers host cells herd immunity against Acr-encoding genetic invaders whether they are CRISPR targeted or not.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41589-024-01693-3 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
Comparison of the role of vitamin D in normal organs and those affected by COVID-19.
Int J Med Sci
January 2025
Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The outbreak of COVID-19 has opened up new avenues for exploring the importance of vitamin D in immunity, in addition to its role in calcium absorption. Recently, vitamin D supplementation has been found to enhance T regulatory lymphocytes, which are reduced in individuals with COVID-19. Increased risk of pneumonia and increases in inflammatory cytokines have been reported to be major threats associated with vitamin-D deficiency.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBiosecurity and Biocontainment for Ruminant Respiratory Disease.
Vet Clin North Am Food Anim Pract
January 2025
Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, Animal Disease Research and Diagnostic Laboratory, South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD 57007, USA.
Respiratory disease in cattle and small ruminants is caused by various factors, including inadequate biosecurity and biocontainment. Biosecurity and biocontainment depend on good husbandry. Testing on arrival and quarantining for 42 to 56 days could improve biosecurity.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFExamination of the requirements for powered air-purifying respirator (PAPR) utilization as an alternative to lockdown.
Sci Rep
January 2025
Gunma University, 1-5-1 Tenjin-Cho, Kiryu, 376-8515, Japan.
With the emergence of COVID-19 variants and new viruses, it remains uncertain when the next pandemic will occur. A lockdown is considered the last resort to halt the spread of infection; however, it causes significant economic and social damage. Therefore, exploring less harmful alternatives during such scenarios is crucial.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFNeuraminidase Antibody Response to Homologous and Drifted Influenza A Viruses After Immunization with Seasonal Influenza Vaccines.
Vaccines (Basel)
November 2024
FSBSI 'Institute of Experimental Medicine', 197022 Saint Petersburg, Russia.
Background/objectives: Humoral immunity directed against neuraminidase (NA) of the influenza virus may soften the severity of infection caused by new antigenic variants of the influenza viruses. Evaluation of NA-inhibiting (NI) antibodies in combination with antibodies to hemagglutinin (HA) may enhance research on the antibody response to influenza vaccines.
Methods: The study examined 64 pairs of serum samples from patients vaccinated with seasonal inactivated trivalent influenza vaccines (IIVs) in 2018 according to the formula recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) for the 2018-2019 flu season.
An Ecological Study Relating the SARS-CoV-2 Epidemiology with Health-Related, Socio-Demographic, and Geographical Characteristics in South Tyrol (Italy).
Int J Environ Res Public Health
November 2024
Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy.
The literature associating the spread of SARS-CoV-2 with the healthcare-related, geographical, and demographic characteristics of the territory is inconclusive and contrasting. We studied these relationships during winter 2021/2022 in South Tyrol, a multicultural Italian alpine province, performing an ecological study based on the 20 districts of the area. Data about incidence, hospitalization, and death between November 2021 and February 2022 were collected and associated to territorial variables via bivariate analyses and multivariate regressions.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWant AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!