Prokaryotic innate immunity through pattern recognition of conserved viral proteins

Many organisms have evolved specialized immune pattern-recognition receptors, including nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptors (NLRs) of the STAND superfamily that are ubiquitous in plants, animals, and fungi. Although the roles of NLRs in eukaryotic immunity are well established, it is unknown whether prokaryotes use similar defense mechanisms. Here, we show that antiviral STAND (Avs) homologs in bacteria and archaea detect hallmark viral proteins, triggering Avs tetramerization and the activation of diverse N-terminal effector domains, including DNA endonucleases, to abrogate infection. Cryo-electron microscopy reveals that Avs sensor domains recognize conserved folds, active-site residues,…

• UD
  U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
• HU
  Harvard University
• EM
  Edward Mallinckrodt, Jr. Foundation
• OP
  Open Philanthropy Project
• NI
  National Institutes of Health

  Awards: HL141201, 1DP1-HL141201, 2R01HG009761-05
• UN
  U.S. National Library of Medicine