Cited by 107Bacterial Genetics and BiotechnologyCRISPR and Genetic EngineeringBacteriophages and microbial interactions

The SMC-family Wadjet complex protects bacteria from plasmid transformation by recognition and cleavage of closed-circular DNA

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Deep, Amar, Gu, Yajie, Gao, Yong-Qi, Ego, Kaori M., Herzik, Mark A., Zhou, Huilin, Corbett, Kevin D.·2022·Molecular Cell

Abstract

Self versus non-self discrimination is a key element of innate and adaptive immunity across life. In bacteria, CRISPR-Cas and restriction-modification systems recognize non-self nucleic acids through their sequence and their methylation state, respectively. Here, we show that the Wadjet defense system recognizes DNA topology to protect its host against plasmid transformation. By combining cryoelectron microscopy with cross-linking mass spectrometry, we show that Wadjet forms a complex similar to the bacterial condensin complex MukBEF, with a novel nuclease subunit similar to a type II DNA topoisomerase. Wadjet specifically cleaves closed-circular DNA in a reaction requiring ATP hydrolysis by the structural maintenance of chromosome (SMC) ATPase subunit JetC, suggesting that the complex could use DNA loop extrusion to sense its substrate's topology, then specifically activate the nuclease subunit JetD to cleave plasmid DNA. Overall, our data reveal how bacteria have co-opted a DNA maintenance machine to specifically recognize and destroy foreign DNAs through topology sensing.

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Authors
Deep, A., Gu, Y., Gao, Y.-Q., Ego, K. M., Herzik, M. A., Zhou, H., & Corbett, K. D.
Affiliations
University of California San Diego (US)
Corresponding author
Corbett, Kevin D.
Venue
Molecular Cell
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2022-11
Volume
82
Issue
21
Pages
4145-4159.e7
ISSN
1097-2765 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W4302424784
Cited by
106
References
72
Citations by year
2026: 12 · 2025: 30 · 2024: 36 · 2023: 26 · 2022: 2
FWCI
14.17
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Molecular Cell (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
  • eScholarship (California Digital Library) (submittedVersion)
Funders
  • NIH Office of the Director (S10 OD023498)
  • National Institute of General Medical Sciences (R01 GM116897, R35 GM138206, R35 GM144121)
  • University of California, San Diego
  • Agouron Institute
  • National Institutes of Health
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Genetics › Bacterial Genetics and Biotechnology
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › CRISPR and Genetic Engineering
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Ecology › Bacteriophages and microbial interactions
Keywords
SMC complex, topoisomerase II, plasmid transformation, bacterial defense against foreign DNA, DNA loop extrusion
MeSH terms
Bacteria, Chromosomes, DNA, DNA-Binding Proteins, DNA, Circular, Plasmids, Cryoelectron Microscopy, Multiprotein Complexes

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