Multi-layered genome defences in bacteria

Curr Opin Microbiol. 2024 Feb 17;78:102436. doi: 10.1016/j.mib.2024.102436. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTBacteria 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.PMID:38368839 | DOI:10.1016/j.mib.2024.102436

Source: Current Opinion in Microbiology - February 18, 2024 Category: Microbiology Authors: Aleksei Agapov Kate S Baker Paritosh Bedekar Rama P Bhatia Tim R Blower Michael A Brockhurst Cooper Brown Charlotte E Chong Joanne L Fothergill Shirley Graham James Pj Hall Alice Maestri Stuart McQuarrie Anna Olina Stefano Pagliara Mario Recker Anna Richm Source Type: research