scholarly journals Ring nucleases deactivate Type III CRISPR ribonucleases by degrading cyclic oligoadenylate

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Januka S Athukoralage ◽  
Christophe Rouillon ◽  
Shirley Graham ◽  
Sabine Grüschow ◽  
Malcolm F White

AbstractThe CRISPR-Cas system provides adaptive immunity against mobile genetic elements in prokaryotes, utilising small CRISPR RNAs which direct effector complexes to degrade invading entities. Type III effector complexes were recently demonstrated to synthesise a novel second messenger, cyclic oligoadenylate (cOA), on binding target RNA. cOA in turn binds to and activates a range of downstream effector proteins including ribonucleases (Csm6/Csx1) and transcription factors via a CARF (CRISPR associated Rossman Fold) domain, inducing an antiviral state in the cell that is important for immunity. The mechanism of the “off-switch” that resets the system is not understood. Here, we report the identification of the nuclease that degrades these cOA ring molecules. The “Ring nuclease” is itself a CARF family protein with a metal independent mechanism, which cleaves cOA4 rings to generate linear di-adenylate species and switches off the antiviral state. The identification of Ring nucleases adds an important insight to the CRISPR-Cas system.

2006 ◽  
Vol 74 (10) ◽  
pp. 5893-5902 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eoin P. O'Grady ◽  
Heidi Mulcahy ◽  
Julie O'Callaghan ◽  
Claire Adams ◽  
Fergal O'Gara

ABSTRACT Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an important opportunistic pathogen which is capable of causing both acute and chronic infections in immunocompromised patients. Successful adaptation of the bacterium to its host environment relies on the ability of the organism to tightly regulate gene expression. RsmA, a small RNA-binding protein, controls the expression of a large number of virulence-related genes in P. aeruginosa, including those encoding the type III secretion system and associated effector proteins, with important consequences for epithelial cell morphology and cytotoxicity. In order to examine the influence of RsmA-regulated functions in the pathogen on gene expression in the host, we compared global expression profiles of airway epithelial cells in response to infection with P. aeruginosa PAO1 and an rsmA mutant. The RsmA-dependent response of host cells was characterized by significant changes in the global transcriptional pattern, including the increased expression of two Kruppel-like factors, KLF2 and KLF6. This increased expression was mediated by specific type III effector proteins. ExoS was required for the enhanced expression of KLF2, whereas both ExoS and ExoY were required for the enhanced expression of KLF6. Neither ExoT nor ExoU influenced the expression of the transcription factors. Additionally, the increased gene expression of KLF2 and KLF6 was associated with ExoS-mediated cytotoxicity. Therefore, this study identifies for the first time the human transcription factors KLF2 and KLF6 as targets of the P. aeruginosa type III exoenzymes S and Y, with potential importance in host cell death.


eLife ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christophe Rouillon ◽  
Januka S Athukoralage ◽  
Shirley Graham ◽  
Sabine Grüschow ◽  
Malcolm F White

The CRISPR system for prokaryotic adaptive immunity provides RNA-mediated protection from viruses and mobile genetic elements. When viral RNA transcripts are detected, type III systems adopt an activated state that licenses DNA interference and synthesis of cyclic oligoadenylate (cOA). cOA activates nucleases and transcription factors that orchestrate the antiviral response. We demonstrate that cOA synthesis is subject to tight temporal control, commencing on target RNA binding, and is deactivated rapidly as target RNA is cleaved and dissociates. Mismatches in the target RNA are well tolerated and still activate the cyclase domain, except when located close to the 3’ end of the target. Phosphorothioate modification reduces target RNA cleavage and stimulates cOA production. The ‘RNA shredding’ activity originally ascribed to type III systems may thus be a reflection of an exquisite mechanism for control of the Cas10 subunit, rather than a direct antiviral defence.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen A McMahon ◽  
Wenlong Zhu ◽  
Shirley Graham ◽  
Robert Rambo ◽  
Malcolm F White ◽  
...  

AbstractThe CRISPR system provides adaptive immunity against mobile genetic elements in prokaryotes. On binding invading RNA species, Type III CRISPR systems generate cyclic oligoadenylate (cOA) molecules which act as a second messenger, signalling infection and potentiating a powerful immune response by activating a range of downstream effector proteins that can lead to viral clearance, cell dormancy or death. Only one type of effector enzyme has been studied – the Csm6/Csx1 ribonuclease domain, and the mechanism of cOA activation is not understood at a molecular level. Here we describe the structure and mechanism of a novel cOA-activated CRISPR defence DNA endonuclease, Can1 (“CRISPR ancillary nuclease 1”). Can1 has a unique monomeric structure with two CRISPR associated Rossman fold (CARF) CARF domains and two DNA nuclease-like domains. The crystal structure of the enzyme has been captured in the activated state, with a cyclic tetra-adenylate (cA4) molecule bound at the core of the protein. cA4 binding reorganises the structure to license a metal-dependent DNA nuclease activity specific for nicking of supercoiled DNA. DNA nicking by Can1 is predicted to slow down viral replication kinetics by leading to the collapse of DNA replication forks.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jurre A. Steens ◽  
Yifan Zhu ◽  
David W. Taylor ◽  
Jack P. K. Bravo ◽  
Stijn H. P. Prinsen ◽  
...  

AbstractCharacteristic properties of type III CRISPR-Cas systems include recognition of target RNA and the subsequent induction of a multifaceted immune response. This involves sequence-specific cleavage of the target RNA and production of cyclic oligoadenylate (cOA) molecules. Here we report that an exposed seed region at the 3′ end of the crRNA is essential for target RNA binding and cleavage, whereas cOA production requires base pairing at the 5′ end of the crRNA. Moreover, we uncover that the variation in the size and composition of type III complexes within a single host results in variable seed regions. This may prevent escape by invading genetic elements, while controlling cOA production tightly to prevent unnecessary damage to the host. Lastly, we use these findings to develop a new diagnostic tool, SCOPE, for the specific detection of SARS-CoV-2 from human nasal swab samples, revealing sensitivities in the atto-molar range.


Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 611
Author(s):  
Kelly Coffey

Identifying novel therapeutic targets for the treatment of prostate cancer (PC) remains a key area of research. With the emergence of resistance to androgen receptor (AR)-targeting therapies, other signalling pathways which crosstalk with AR signalling are important. Over recent years, evidence has accumulated for targeting the Hippo signalling pathway. Discovered in Drosophila melanogasta, the Hippo pathway plays a role in the regulation of organ size, proliferation, migration and invasion. In response to a variety of stimuli, including cell–cell contact, nutrients and stress, a kinase cascade is activated, which includes STK4/3 and LATS1/2 to inhibit the effector proteins YAP and its paralogue TAZ. Transcription by their partner transcription factors is inhibited by modulation of YAP/TAZ cellular localisation and protein turnover. Trnascriptional enhanced associate domain (TEAD) transcription factors are their classical transcriptional partner but other transcription factors, including the AR, have been shown to be modulated by YAP/TAZ. In PC, this pathway can be dysregulated by a number of mechanisms, making it attractive for therapeutic intervention. This review looks at each component of the pathway with a focus on findings from the last year and discusses what knowledge can be applied to the field of PC.


2005 ◽  
Vol 386 (2) ◽  
pp. 201-214 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhou-shen ZHAO ◽  
Ed MANSER

The Rho GTPases are a family of molecular switches that are critical regulators of signal transduction pathways in eukaryotic cells. They are known principally for their role in regulating the cytoskeleton, and do so by recruiting a variety of downstream effector proteins. Kinases form an important class of Rho effector, and part of the biological complexity brought about by switching on a single GTPase results from downstream phosphorylation cascades. Here we focus on our current understanding of the way in which different Rho-associated serine/threonine kinases, denoted PAK (p21-activated kinase), MLK (mixed-lineage kinase), ROK (Rho-kinase), MRCK (myotonin-related Cdc42-binding kinase), CRIK (citron kinase) and PKN (protein kinase novel), interact with and are regulated by their partner GTPases. All of these kinases have in common an ability to dimerize, and in most cases interact with a variety of other proteins that are important for their function. A diversity of known structures underpin the Rho GTPase–kinase interaction, but only in the case of PAK do we have a good molecular understanding of kinase regulation. The ability of Rho GTPases to co-ordinate spatial and temporal phosphorylation events explains in part their prominent role in eukaryotic cell biology.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 1029
Author(s):  
Karl J. Schreiber ◽  
Ilea J. Chau-Ly ◽  
Jennifer D. Lewis

Phytopathogenic bacteria possess an arsenal of effector proteins that enable them to subvert host recognition and manipulate the host to promote pathogen fitness. The type III secretion system (T3SS) delivers type III-secreted effector proteins (T3SEs) from bacterial pathogens such as Pseudomonas syringae, Ralstonia solanacearum, and various Xanthomonas species. These T3SEs interact with and modify a range of intracellular host targets to alter their activity and thereby attenuate host immune signaling. Pathogens have evolved T3SEs with diverse biochemical activities, which can be difficult to predict in the absence of structural data. Interestingly, several T3SEs are activated following injection into the host cell. Here, we review T3SEs with documented enzymatic activities, as well as T3SEs that facilitate virulence-promoting processes either indirectly or through non-enzymatic mechanisms. We discuss the mechanisms by which T3SEs are activated in the cell, as well as how T3SEs modify host targets to promote virulence or trigger immunity. These mechanisms may suggest common enzymatic activities and convergent targets that could be manipulated to protect crop plants from infection.


mBio ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 6 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Julia V. Monjarás Feria ◽  
Matthew D. Lefebre ◽  
York-Dieter Stierhof ◽  
Jorge E. Galán ◽  
Samuel Wagner

ABSTRACTType III secretion systems (T3SSs) are multiprotein machines employed by many Gram-negative bacteria to inject bacterial effector proteins into eukaryotic host cells to promote bacterial survival and colonization. The core unit of T3SSs is the needle complex, a supramolecular structure that mediates the passage of the secreted proteins through the bacterial envelope. A distinct feature of the T3SS is that protein export occurs in a strictly hierarchical manner in which proteins destined to form the needle complex filament and associated structures are secreted first, followed by the secretion of effectors and the proteins that will facilitate their translocation through the target host cell membrane. The secretion hierarchy is established by complex mechanisms that involve several T3SS-associated components, including the “switch protein,” a highly conserved, inner membrane protease that undergoes autocatalytic cleavage. It has been proposed that the autocleavage of the switch protein is the trigger for substrate switching. We show here that autocleavage of theSalmonella entericaserovar Typhimurium switch protein SpaS is an unregulated process that occurs after its folding and before its incorporation into the needle complex. Needle complexes assembled with a precleaved form of SpaS function in a manner indistinguishable from that of the wild-type form. Furthermore, an engineered mutant of SpaS that is processed by an external protease also displays wild-type function. These results demonstrate that the cleavage eventper sedoes not provide a signal for substrate switching but support the hypothesis that cleavage allows the proper conformation of SpaS to render it competent for its switching function.IMPORTANCEBacterial interaction with eukaryotic hosts often involves complex molecular machines for targeted delivery of bacterial effector proteins. One such machine, the type III secretion system of some Gram-negative bacteria, serves to inject a multitude of structurally diverse bacterial proteins into the host cell. Critical to the function of these systems is their ability to secrete proteins in a strict hierarchical order, but it is unclear how the mechanism of switching works. Central to the switching mechanism is a highly conserved inner membrane protease that undergoes autocatalytic cleavage. Although it has been suggested previously that the autocleavage event is the trigger for substrate switching, we show here that this is not the case. Rather, our results show that cleavage allows the proper conformation of the protein to render it competent for its switching function. These findings may help develop inhibitors of type III secretion machines that offer novel therapeutic avenues to treat various infectious diseases.


2010 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 198-210 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher R. Clarke ◽  
Rongman Cai ◽  
David J. Studholme ◽  
David S. Guttman ◽  
Boris A. Vinatzer

Pseudomonas syringae is best known as a plant pathogen that causes disease by translocating immune-suppressing effector proteins into plant cells through a type III secretion system (T3SS). However, P. syringae strains belonging to a newly described phylogenetic subgroup (group 2c) are missing the canonical P. syringae hrp/hrc cluster coding for a T3SS, flanking effector loci, and any close orthologue of known P. syringae effectors. Nonetheless, P. syringae group 2c strains are common leaf colonizers and grow on some tested plant species to population densities higher than those obtained by other P. syringae strains on nonhost species. Moreover, group 2c strains have genes necessary for the production of phytotoxins, have an ice nucleation gene, and, most interestingly, contain a novel hrp/hrc cluster, which is only distantly related to the canonical P. syringae hrp/hrc cluster. This hrp/hrc cluster appears to encode a functional T3SS although the genes hrpK and hrpS, present in the classical P. syringae hrp/hrc cluster, are missing. The genome sequence of a representative group 2c strain also revealed distant orthologues of the P. syringae effector genes avrE1 and hopM1 and the P. aeruginosa effector genes exoU and exoY. A putative life cycle for group 2c P. syringae is discussed.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document