Structure and mechanism of a Type III CRISPR defence DNA nuclease activated by cyclic oligoadenylate

Stephen A. McMahon, Wenlong Zhu, Shirley Graham, Robert Rambo, Malcolm F. White () and Tracey M. Gloster ()
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Stephen A. McMahon: University of St Andrews
Wenlong Zhu: University of St Andrews
Shirley Graham: University of St Andrews
Robert Rambo: Diamond House, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus
Malcolm F. White: University of St Andrews
Tracey M. Gloster: University of St Andrews

Nature Communications, 2020, vol. 11, issue 1, 1-11

Abstract: Abstract The CRISPR system provides adaptive immunity against mobile genetic elements in prokaryotes. On binding invading RNA species, Type III CRISPR systems generate cyclic oligoadenylate (cOA) signalling molecules, potentiating a powerful immune response by activating downstream effector proteins, leading to viral clearance, cell dormancy or death. Here we describe the structure and mechanism of a cOA-activated CRISPR defence DNA endonuclease, CRISPR ancillary nuclease 1 (Can1). Can1 has a unique monomeric structure with two CRISPR associated Rossman fold (CARF) domains and two DNA nuclease-like domains. The crystal structure of the enzyme has been captured in the activated state, with a cyclic tetra-adenylate (cA4) molecule bound at the core of the protein. cA4 binding reorganises the structure to license a metal-dependent DNA nuclease activity specific for nicking of supercoiled DNA. DNA nicking by Can1 is predicted to slow down viral replication kinetics by leading to the collapse of DNA replication forks.

Date: 2020
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-14222-x

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