G. Amitai

Diversification of molecular pattern recognition in bacterial NLR-like proteins

The paper shows that KpAvs2 recognizes a different phage protein, Ksap1, during infection compared to heterologous co-expression assays.

TIR domains produce histidine-ADPR conjugates as immune signaling molecules in bacteria

The paper identifies His-ADPR as a novel TIR-derived immune signaling molecule in bacteria, showing its role in phage defense and structural basis for recognition.

Structural basis of Gabija anti-phage defense and viral immune evasion

This study reveals the structural basis of the Gabija anti-phage defense complex and identifies a viral immune evasion mechanism through phage-encoded Gad1.

Cryo-EM structure of the RADAR supramolecular anti-phage defense complex

The paper determines the cryo-EM structure of the RADAR complex, showing RdrB targets mononucleotides and catalyzes ATP-to-ITP conversion to limit phage replication.

Discovery of phage determinants that confer sensitivity to bacterial immune systems

The paper identifies phage determinants that confer sensitivity to bacterial immune systems by analyzing 192 phage mutants escaping 19 defense systems.

An expanding arsenal of immune systems that protect bacteria from phages

This study identifies 21 new bacterial defense systems against phages through genomic analysis and experiments, revealing novel protein domains and toxin-antitoxin mechanisms involved in anti-phage immunity.

Viruses inhibit TIR gcADPR signaling to overcome bacterial defense

The paper identifies Tad1 proteins as inhibitors of TIR-domain signaling in bacterial antiphage systems, revealing gcADPR as the immune signaling molecule and its sequestration by Tad1.

Multiple phage resistance systems inhibit infection via SIR2-dependent NAD+ depletion

The paper shows DSR proteins deplete NAD+ during phage infection, inhibiting propagation, and identifies SIR2 domains as effector NADases in bacterial immunity.

Bacterial gasdermins reveal an ancient mechanism of cell death

This study identifies bacterial gasdermin homologs that execute prokaryotic cell death via caspase-like protease activation, revealing an ancient mechanism of regulated cell death shared with animals.

Antiviral defense via nucleotide depletion in bacteria

This study identifies bacterial proteins that deplete specific deoxynucleotides to inhibit phage replication, mirroring the human SAMHD1 antiviral mechanism.

Antiviral activity of bacterial TIR domains via signaling molecules that trigger cell death

This study identifies a bacterial antiviral pathway using TIR domains to produce a signaling molecule that triggers cell death via NAD depletion.

Rapid covalent-probe discovery by electrophile fragment screening

This study develops a method for discovering covalent probes using electrophile fragment screening and identifies selective inhibitors for OTUB2 and NUDT7.