Multi-layered genome defences in bacteria

Agapov, Aleksei; Baker, Kate; Bedekar, Paritosh; Bhatia, Rama; Blower, Tim R.; Brockhurst, Michael A.; Brown, Cooper; Chong, Charlotte; Fothergill, Joanne L.; Graham, Shirley; Hall, James P. J.; Maestri, Alice; McQuarrie, Stuart; Olina, Anna; Pagliara, Stefano; Recker, Mario; Richmond, Anna; Shaw, Steven J.; Szczelkun, Mark D.; Taylor, Tiffany B.; van Houte, Stineke; Went, Sam C.; Westra, Edze R.; White, Malcolm F.; Wright, Rosanna

Abstract

Bacteria have evolved a variety of defence mechanisms to protect against mobile genetic elements, including restriction-modification systems and CRISPR–Cas. In recent years, dozens of previously unknown defence systems (DSs) have been discovered. Notably, diverse DSs often coexist within the same genome, and some co-occur at frequencies significantly higher than would be expected by chance, implying potential synergistic interactions. Recent studies have provided evidence of defence mechanisms that enhance or complement one another. Here, we review the interactions between DSs at the mechanistic, regulatory, ecological and evolutionary levels.

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jan 23, 2024
• Online Publication Date: Feb 17, 2024
• Publication Date: 2024-04
• Deposit Date: Feb 9, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: Feb 23, 2024
• Journal: Current Opinion in Microbiology
• Print ISSN: 1369-5274
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 78
• Article Number: 102436
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mib.2024.102436
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/2231261