Rotem Sorek

Bacteria sense virus-induced genome degradation via methylated mononucleotides

This study identifies a bacterial defense system, Metis, that detects virus-induced genome degradation through methylated mononucleotides, leading to inhibition of phage infection.

Plant pathogens cleave 2′cADPR to suppress TIR immune signaling

This study shows that XopQ, a bacterial virulence protein, cleaves 2'cADPR to suppress plant TIR immune signaling and promote pathogen virulence.

Synthetically designed anti-defense proteins overcome barriers to bacterial transformation and phage infection

The paper designs synthetic proteins that inhibit bacterial defense systems, enabling phage infection and plasmid transformation in otherwise resistant strains.

Functional diversity of phage sponge proteins that sequester host immune signals

The paper investigates the functional diversity of phage sponge proteins that sequester host immune signals, identifying new specificities against CBASS, Pycsar, and Thoeris systems.

Bacterial defense via RES-mediated NAD+ depletion is countered by phage phosphatases

The paper identifies a bacterial defense mechanism, aRES, that depletes NAD+ by producing ADPR-1P, which resists phage NARP1 reconstitution, and describes phage countermeasures including phosphatases and inhibitors.

Phage RyR-domain proteins degrade ADPR-based immune signals and fuel NAD synthesis

This study identifies RyDEP as an enzyme that degrades 2'cADPR and 3'cADPR immune signals, inactivating bacterial defense and restoring NAD+.

Extracellular activity of a bacterial protease associated with reduced phage infectivity

The paper shows a secreted bacterial protease reduces phage infectivity by degrading phage DNA, with phages escaping by mutating a tail-associated protein.

Conserved catalytic activity of animal TIR domains functions in TLR4 signaling

This study shows that TIR domains in animals, including human TLR4, have conserved catalytic activity that produces cADPR and is essential for TLR4 signaling.

Structural modeling reveals viral proteins that manipulate host immune signaling

The paper identifies viral proteins that manipulate bacterial immune signaling by analyzing structural and biophysical traits, and develops a computational pipeline to predict such proteins in phage genomes.

Systematic discovery of TIR-based immune signaling systems in bacteria

The paper systematically identifies TIR-based immune signaling systems in bacteria, finding they exist in 8% of bacterial genomes and use signaling molecules similar to those in plant and human immunity.

TIR signaling activates caspase-like immunity in bacteria

This study identifies a bacterial immune system where TIR-domain proteins activate caspase-like proteases to induce cell death and block phage replication.

A widespread family of viral sponge proteins reveals specific inhibition of nucleotide signals in anti-phage defense

The paper identifies Acb4, a viral protein that inhibits bacterial anti-phage defense by sequestering nucleotide signals.

The SARM1 TIR domain produces glycocyclic ADPR molecules as minor products

This study shows that SARM1 TIR domains produce minor amounts of glycocyclic ADPR molecules in vitro and in bacterial cells, suggesting a potential role in axonal death.

Phages overcome bacterial immunity via diverse anti-defense proteins

This study identifies anti-defense proteins in phages that inhibit bacterial immune systems like Gabija, Thoeris, and Hachiman.

Short prokaryotic Argonautes provide defence against invading mobile genetic elements through NAD+ depletion

The paper shows short prokaryotic Argonautes, when associated with Sir2, deplete NAD+ to defend against invading DNA.

The somatic genetic and epigenetic mutation rate in a wild long-lived perennial Populus trichocarpa

The paper quantifies age-related somatic mutations and epimutations in a wild Populus trichocarpa tree over 330 years, showing lower mutation rates than annuals and distinct epimutation origins.