Structural remodeling activates bacterial anti-phage immunity: insights from HerA-DUF4297

In response to phage infection, bacteria have evolved a variety of sophisticated immune defense systems to combat viral predation. Among these defense mechanisms, the transmission of immune signals via intracellular signal transduction molecules is a common strategy that often accompanies enzyme act...

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Main Authors: Xiaoyan Wang, Leiliang Zhang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-06-01
Series:Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcimb.2025.1612006/full
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author Xiaoyan Wang
Xiaoyan Wang
Leiliang Zhang
Leiliang Zhang
author_facet Xiaoyan Wang
Xiaoyan Wang
Leiliang Zhang
Leiliang Zhang
author_sort Xiaoyan Wang
collection DOAJ
description In response to phage infection, bacteria have evolved a variety of sophisticated immune defense systems to combat viral predation. Among these defense mechanisms, the transmission of immune signals via intracellular signal transduction molecules is a common strategy that often accompanies enzyme activity. Recent studies have characterized the HerA-DUF4297 protein complex, a two-component defense system that integrates ATPase and nuclease activities. This complex inhibits phage infection by inducing DNA degradation. Notably, DUF4297 displays minimal nuclease activity when it operates on its own. However, it demonstrates robust nuclease activity when in complex with HerA. Crucially, the nuclease activity within this complex is regulated by structural changes. These findings provide novel insights into the activation of bacterial immune systems against phages, suggesting that the architectural remodeling of protein complexes can serve as a mechanism for transmitting immune signals.
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publisher Frontiers Media S.A.
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series Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology
spelling doaj-art-9b1f4610e3104af58d26ff1a875d5a1b2025-08-20T02:23:00ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology2235-29882025-06-011510.3389/fcimb.2025.16120061612006Structural remodeling activates bacterial anti-phage immunity: insights from HerA-DUF4297Xiaoyan Wang0Xiaoyan Wang1Leiliang Zhang2Leiliang Zhang3Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Jinan, Shandong, ChinaDepartment of Pathogen Biology, School of Clinical and Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, ChinaDepartment of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Jinan, Shandong, ChinaDepartment of Pathogen Biology, School of Clinical and Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, ChinaIn response to phage infection, bacteria have evolved a variety of sophisticated immune defense systems to combat viral predation. Among these defense mechanisms, the transmission of immune signals via intracellular signal transduction molecules is a common strategy that often accompanies enzyme activity. Recent studies have characterized the HerA-DUF4297 protein complex, a two-component defense system that integrates ATPase and nuclease activities. This complex inhibits phage infection by inducing DNA degradation. Notably, DUF4297 displays minimal nuclease activity when it operates on its own. However, it demonstrates robust nuclease activity when in complex with HerA. Crucially, the nuclease activity within this complex is regulated by structural changes. These findings provide novel insights into the activation of bacterial immune systems against phages, suggesting that the architectural remodeling of protein complexes can serve as a mechanism for transmitting immune signals.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcimb.2025.1612006/fullHerA-DUF4297structural remodelingphagebacterial immunitynuclease
spellingShingle Xiaoyan Wang
Xiaoyan Wang
Leiliang Zhang
Leiliang Zhang
Structural remodeling activates bacterial anti-phage immunity: insights from HerA-DUF4297
Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology
HerA-DUF4297
structural remodeling
phage
bacterial immunity
nuclease
title Structural remodeling activates bacterial anti-phage immunity: insights from HerA-DUF4297
title_full Structural remodeling activates bacterial anti-phage immunity: insights from HerA-DUF4297
title_fullStr Structural remodeling activates bacterial anti-phage immunity: insights from HerA-DUF4297
title_full_unstemmed Structural remodeling activates bacterial anti-phage immunity: insights from HerA-DUF4297
title_short Structural remodeling activates bacterial anti-phage immunity: insights from HerA-DUF4297
title_sort structural remodeling activates bacterial anti phage immunity insights from hera duf4297
topic HerA-DUF4297
structural remodeling
phage
bacterial immunity
nuclease
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcimb.2025.1612006/full
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AT leiliangzhang structuralremodelingactivatesbacterialantiphageimmunityinsightsfromheraduf4297
AT leiliangzhang structuralremodelingactivatesbacterialantiphageimmunityinsightsfromheraduf4297