R. Sorek

Phages reconstitute NAD+ to counter bacterial immunity

This study identifies two phage pathways, NARP1 and NARP2, that reconstitute NAD+ from its degradation products to counter bacterial immunity.

Diversification of molecular pattern recognition in bacterial NLR-like proteins

The paper shows that KpAvs2 recognizes a different phage protein, Ksap1, during infection compared to heterologous co-expression assays.

TIR domains produce histidine-ADPR conjugates as immune signaling molecules in bacteria

The paper identifies His-ADPR as a novel TIR-derived immune signaling molecule in bacteria, showing its role in phage defense and structural basis for recognition.

Bacteria conjugate ubiquitin-like proteins to interfere with phage assembly

The paper shows bacteria use ubiquitin-like protein conjugation to block phage assembly and infectivity.

CARD-like domains mediate anti-phage defense in bacterial gasdermin systems

This study identifies CARD-like domains in bacterial defense systems that activate gasdermin-mediated cell death against phage infection.

Structural basis of Gabija anti-phage defense and viral immune evasion

This study reveals the structural basis of the Gabija anti-phage defense complex and identifies a viral immune evasion mechanism through phage-encoded Gad1.

Cryo-EM structure of the RADAR supramolecular anti-phage defense complex

The paper determines the cryo-EM structure of the RADAR complex, showing RdrB targets mononucleotides and catalyzes ATP-to-ITP conversion to limit phage replication.

A conserved family of immune effectors cleaves cellular ATP upon viral infection

This study identifies a conserved family of immune effectors that degrade ATP and dATP during viral infection, halting phage propagation and suggesting a conserved innate immune strategy across life.

Discovery of phage determinants that confer sensitivity to bacterial immune systems

The paper identifies phage determinants that confer sensitivity to bacterial immune systems by analyzing 192 phage mutants escaping 19 defense systems.

The defence island repertoire of the Escherichia coli pan-genome

The paper maps defence islands in E. coli genomes, showing they integrate at specific hotspots via mobile genetic elements, explaining strain-specific immune variation.

An expanding arsenal of immune systems that protect bacteria from phages

This study identifies 21 new bacterial defense systems against phages through genomic analysis and experiments, revealing novel protein domains and toxin-antitoxin mechanisms involved in anti-phage immunity.

Viruses inhibit TIR gcADPR signaling to overcome bacterial defense

The paper identifies Tad1 proteins as inhibitors of TIR-domain signaling in bacterial antiphage systems, revealing gcADPR as the immune signaling molecule and its sequestration by Tad1.

Class I DISARM provides anti-phage and anti-conjugation activity by unmethylated DNA recognition

This study identifies Class 1 DISARM as a system providing anti-phage and anti-conjugation activity through recognition of unmethylated DNA sites.

Multiple phage resistance systems inhibit infection via SIR2-dependent NAD+ depletion

The paper shows DSR proteins deplete NAD+ during phage infection, inhibiting propagation, and identifies SIR2 domains as effector NADases in bacterial immunity.

The DarTG toxin-antitoxin system provides phage defense by ADP-ribosylating viral DNA

This study identifies DarTG toxin-antitoxin systems in E. coli that defend against phage by ADP-ribosylating viral DNA, with phages evolving resistance through DNA polymerase or anti-DarT factors.

Bacterial gasdermins reveal an ancient mechanism of cell death

This study identifies bacterial gasdermin homologs that execute prokaryotic cell death via caspase-like protease activation, revealing an ancient mechanism of regulated cell death shared with animals.

Antiviral defense via nucleotide depletion in bacteria

This study identifies bacterial proteins that deplete specific deoxynucleotides to inhibit phage replication, mirroring the human SAMHD1 antiviral mechanism.

Antiviral activity of bacterial TIR domains via signaling molecules that trigger cell death

This study identifies a bacterial antiviral pathway using TIR domains to produce a signaling molecule that triggers cell death via NAD depletion.

Bacterial retrons function in anti-phage defense

This study identifies retrons as anti-phage defense systems in bacteria, showing they confer phage resistance through a three-component mechanism involving RT, non-coding RNA, and an effector protein.

Peptide-based quorum sensing systems in Paenibacillus polymyxa

The paper identifies 16 peptide-based quorum sensing systems in Paenibacillus polymyxa and shows their conservation across the Paenibacillaceae family.