A widespread NADase domain links bacterial immunity with human TEP1
Recent discoveries on bacterial immunity have revealed that several protein domains involved in anti-phage defense are conserved in eukaryotes, such as SIRim, TIR, PNP and gasdermin. Bacterial immune systems therefore have the potential to illuminate fundamental biological mechanisms throughout the tree of life. Here, we report that DUF4062 domains - which we rename NIR (NADase in bacterial…
A new study has uncovered a surprising connection between bacterial immunity and human TEP1 protein. Researchers have identified DUF4062 domains, which they have renamed NIR, that play a crucial role in bacterial defense against phages. NIR functions by depleting cellular NAD+ levels, thereby blocking viral infection. This domain is found in various defense systems, leading researchers to discover Vulcan and Vesta, two other defense systems that also trigger NAD+ depletion upon sensing different viral signals.
Surprisingly, NIR domains are not limited to bacteria but are also found in eukaryotes, embedded in multiple NLR-like proteins. Most notably, a NIR domain with conserved NADase activity was identified in the human TEP1 protein. TEP1 is a component of the telomerase complex and vault ribonucleoproteins, revealing an unexpected link between bacterial immunity and certain eukaryotic machineries.
Written by urgent.news from bioRxiv's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
