Aaron T. Whiteley

A RecBCD-like enzyme regulates expression of bacterial defense operons in response to DNA damage

The paper identifies a bacterial pathway, Cerberus, that uses DNA damage sensing to regulate defense operon expression through anti-sigma factor cleavage.

RecBCD Prevents Bacterial Autoimmunity by Clearing Self-DNA Ends Produced During Replication Termination

The paper shows that RecBCD clears self-DNA ends during bacterial replication termination to prevent autoimmunity, similar to TREX1 and DBR1 in eukaryotes.

Minimal diadenylate cyclases have been co-opted to detect phage immune evasion

The paper identifies PanDA, a bacterial defense system that uses a minimal diadenylate cyclase to detect phage evasion by sequestering c-di-AMP, leading to membrane permeabilization.

Identifying phage proteins that activate the bacterial innate immune system

The paper identifies phage proteins that activate bacterial innate immune systems by screening a plasmid library in diverse E. coli strains and analyzing plasmid depletion.

A minimal CRISPR polymerase produces decoy cyclic nucleotides to detect phage anti-defense proteins

The paper identifies a novel antiphage system, Panoptes, that uses a minimal CRISPR polymerase to produce cyclic nucleotides and detects phage anti-defense proteins through effector binding and nucleotide depletion.

Phage detection by a bacterial NLR-related protein is mediated by DnaJ

This study identifies DnaJ as essential for bNACHT25-mediated detection of RNA phages in E. coli, revealing a mechanism where phage coat protein activates the sensor without direct interaction.

A bacterial NLR-related protein senses distinct phage triggers through a single interface

This study identifies a bacterial NLR-related protein that detects phage infection through a conserved interface, triggering programmed cell death to limit viral spread.