Bacterial 2',3'-cGAMP activates a SAVED effector to form membrane-disrupting filaments and restrict phage replication - PubMed
5 hours ago
- #bacterial immunity
- #membrane disruption
- #CBASS
- Bacteria use cyclic oligonucleotide-based antiphage signaling systems (CBASS) to detect phages, similar to mammalian antiviral mechanisms.
- A bacterial CD-NTase produces 2',3'-cGAMP, activating a SAVED effector (Cap14) that forms membrane-disrupting filaments.
- Cryo-EM shows Cap14 binds 2',3'-cGAMP to form filaments, while electrophysiology indicates it disrupts membranes.
- Swapping Cap14's transmembrane domain with a nuclease creates a functional chimera responsive only to 2',3'-cGAMP.
- Transmembrane effectors in CBASS, including bacterial STING homologs, restrict phage replication via membrane disruption.