Mechanism of phage sensing and restriction by toxin-antitoxin-chaperone systems

Toomas Mets, Tatsuaki Kurata, Karin Ernits, Marcus J O Johansson, Sophie Z Craig, Gabriel Medina Evora, Jessica A Buttress, Roni Odai, Kyo Coppieters't Wallant, Jose A Nakamoto, Lena Shyrokova, Artyom A Egorov, Christopher Ross Doering, Tetiana Brodiazhenko, Michael T Laub, Tanel Tenson, Henrik Strahl, Chloe Martens, Alexander Harms, Abel Garcia-PinoGemma C Atkinson, Vasili Hauryliuk

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Toxin-antitoxins (TAs) are prokaryotic two-gene systems composed of a toxin neutralized by an antitoxin. Toxin-antitoxin-chaperone (TAC) systems additionally include a SecB-like chaperone that stabilizes the antitoxin by recognizing its chaperone addiction (ChAD) element. TACs mediate antiphage defense, but the mechanisms of viral sensing and restriction are unexplored. We identify two Escherichia coli antiphage TAC systems containing host inhibition of growth (HigBA) and CmdTA TA modules, HigBAC and CmdTAC. HigBAC is triggered through recognition of the gpV major tail protein of phage λ. Chaperone HigC recognizes gpV and ChAD via analogous aromatic molecular patterns, with gpV outcompeting ChAD to trigger toxicity. For CmdTAC, the CmdT ADP-ribosyltransferase toxin modifies mRNA to halt protein synthesis and limit phage propagation. Finally, we establish the modularity of TACs by creating a hybrid broad-spectrum antiphage system combining the CmdTA TA warhead with a HigC chaperone phage sensor. Collectively, these findings reveal the potential of TAC systems in broad-spectrum antiphage defense.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1059-1073.e8
JournalCell Host and Microbe
Volume32
Issue number7
Early online date2024 May 23
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2024

Subject classification (UKÄ)

  • Cell and Molecular Biology
  • Immunology in the Medical Area (including Cell and Immunotherapy)

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