Dinshaw J. Patel

A base-modifying enzyme extends the range of anti-phage defense provided by DNA glycosylases

Brig3, a DNA glycosylase from a soil metagenome, excises 5-hydroxymethylcytosine from T-even phage DNA; the glucose hydrolase BapA extends defense to glucosylated genomes such as wild-type T4.

Cyclase-generated 3,5-cGMP activates PucsarTIR antiphage defense through a stepwise zig-zag aligned filament assembly

The paper identifies Pucsar, a bacterial antiphage system that uses 3,5-cGMP generated by a cyclase to activate TIR effectors through a stepwise filament assembly process.

A lipid fenestration-gated membrane depolarization mechanism expands the repertoire of CRISPR-mediated anti-phage defense strategies

The paper identifies a lipid-gated mechanism in CRISPR-Cas systems that uses membrane depolarization to block viral replication.

Antiphage defence systems Druantia III and Zorya II synergise via shared DNA intermediates in a phage-specific manner

This study investigates how Druantia III and Zorya II antiphage defence systems in bacteria synergize through shared DNA intermediates, showing their coordinated response during phage infection.

Tmn blocks phage spread via plasmolysis and triggers synergistic defence responses

This study identifies Tmn as a bacterial membrane protein that blocks phage spread by inducing plasmolysis and activates synergistic defence responses through ATP depletion.

A methylome-derived m6-dAMP trigger assembles a PUA-Cal-HAD immune filament that depletes dNTPs to abort phage infection

The paper identifies a methylome-derived m6-dAMP trigger that forms an immune filament in E. coli to deplete dNTPs and abort phage infection.

Structural basis for Lamassu-based antiviral immunity and its evolution from DNA repair machinery

This study reveals the structural basis and evolutionary origin of the Lamassu bacterial immune system, showing its adaptation from DNA repair machinery to detect and respond to viral replication.

Cyclic tetra-adenylate triggers Cap1 membrane pore opening and depolarization during the type III CRISPR immune response

This study reveals how cyclic tetra-adenylate binds to Cap1, inducing conformational changes that open a membrane pore and cause depolarization during the type III CRISPR immune response.

A bacterial TIR-based immune system senses viral capsids to initiate defense

This study identifies how bacterial TIR domains recognize viral capsids to initiate defense by forming complexes that trigger NAD+ depletion.

Chromatin mimicry by human JC virus

This study shows JC polyomavirus uses epigenetic mimicry to alter nuclear architecture, enabling viral replication and persistence.

Structural basis of ATP-dependent high-fidelity epigenome maintenance

The paper reveals the structural mechanism of ATP-dependent DNA methylation by DNMT5, showing how hemimethylated DNA activates the SNF2 ATPase domain and remodels the catalytic pocket for specificity.

A SUMO-dependent regulatory switch connects the piRNA pathway to the heterochromatin machinery in Drosophila

The paper reveals how the piRNA pathway connects to the heterochromatin machinery in Drosophila through SUMOylation of Panoramix and its interaction with Sov.

Integrative analysis reveals unique features of the Smc5/6 complex

The paper presents an integrative structural analysis of the Smc5/6 complex in budding yeast, revealing unique structural features and functional interactions among its subunits.

The molecular principles of Piwi-mediated co-transcriptional silencing through the dimeric SFiNX complex

This study identifies the role of the SFiNX complex dimerization in enabling co-transcriptional silencing via molecular condensate formation in Drosophila.

Direct readout of heterochromatic H3K9me3 regulates DNMT1-mediated maintenance DNA methylation

This study identifies the RFTS domain of DNMT1 as a reader for H3K9me3/H3Ub, showing its role in DNA methylation maintenance and genomic stability.

Modeling Cancer Genomic Data in Yeast Reveals Selection Against ATM Function During Tumorigenesis

The paper models mutations in the Mre11 complex in yeast to show that defects in ATM signaling, rather than DNA repair, are more critical for tumor suppression.

DNA-dependent macromolecular condensation drives self-assembly of the meiotic DNA break machinery

This study investigates how DNA-dependent macromolecular condensation facilitates the self-assembly of the meiotic DNA break machinery in yeast.

The nascent RNA binding complex SFiNX licenses piRNA-guided heterochromatin formation

This study identifies SFiNX, a complex required for Piwi-mediated co-transcriptional silencing in Drosophila, revealing its role in piRNA-guided heterochromatin formation.

REC114 partner ANKRD31 controls number, timing and location of meiotic DNA breaks

This study identifies ANKRD31 as a regulator of meiotic DNA break formation in mice, showing its role in controlling DSB number, timing, and location, and linking its dysfunction to infertility.