2026-06-25 東京大学

III-D2型CRISPR-Casシステムによる抗ファージ防御機構
<関連情報>
- https://www.rcast.u-tokyo.ac.jp/ja/news/release/20260625_1.html
- https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-026-74422-0
III-D2型CRISPRエフェクター複合体によるSAM-AMPおよびSAM-AMP2合成の構造メカニズム Structural mechanism of SAM-AMP and SAM-AMP2 synthesis by the type III-D2 CRISPR effector complex
Yoshihisa Mitsuda,Maki Sugaya,Junichiro Ishikawa,Naoto Nagahata,Sae Okazaki,Masahiro Hiraizumi,Kazuki Kato,Jonathan S. Gootenberg,Omar O. Abudayyeh,Tsuyoshi Osawa,Keitaro Yamashita & Hiroshi Nishimasu
Nature Communications Published:24 June 2026
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-026-74422-0
Abstract
The type III-D2 CRISPR-Cas system comprises multiple Cas subunits and a CRISPR RNA, and is likely an evolutionary intermediate between the well-studied type III-A and III-E systems. Here we show that the type III-D2 complex synthesizes two distinct second messengers, SAM-AMP and SAM-AMP2, from S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) and ATP in response to target RNA recognition. We determined cryo-electron microscopy structures of the type III-D2 effector complex in different functional states, providing mechanistic insights into target RNA cleavage and second messenger synthesis. The structures reveal how SAM and ATP are recognized by the Cas10 subunit within the effector complex. Furthermore, our biological data suggest that both SAM-AMP and SAM-AMP2 act on the CorA ancillary effector, inducing growth arrest of infected bacterial cells and thereby conferring immunity. Thus, our study establishes the type III-D2 system as a unique anti-phage defense mechanism that employs both SAM-AMP and SAM-AMP2 as second messengers, expanding the repertoire of second messenger strategies in bacterial defense systems and highlighting the remarkable functional diversity of CRISPR-Cas systems.

