De novo gene synthesis by an antiviral reverse transcriptase.
Science
; : eadq0876, 2024 Aug 08.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-39116258
ABSTRACT
Defense-associated reverse transcriptase (DRT) systems perform DNA synthesis to protect bacteria against viral infection, but the identities and functions of their DNA products remain largely unknown. Here we show that DRT2 systems encode an unprecedented immune pathway that involves de novo gene synthesis via rolling circle reverse transcription of a non-coding RNA (ncRNA). Programmed template jumping on the ncRNA generates a concatemeric cDNA, which becomes double-stranded upon viral infection. Remarkably, this DNA product constitutes a protein-coding, nearly endless ORF (neo) gene whose expression leads to potent cell growth arrest, thereby restricting the viral infection. Our work highlights an elegant expansion of genome coding potential through RNA-templated gene creation, and challenges conventional paradigms of genetic information encoded along the one-dimensional axis of genomic DNA.
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Science
Ano de publicação:
2024
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Estados Unidos
País de publicação:
EEUU
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ESTADOS UNIDOS
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ESTADOS UNIDOS DA AMERICA
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EUA
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UNITED STATES
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UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
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US
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USA