Plasmid targeting and destruction by the DdmDE bacterial defence system

Jack P. K. Bravo (), Delisa A. Ramos, Rodrigo Fregoso Ocampo, Caiden Ingram and David W. Taylor
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Jack P. K. Bravo: University of Texas at Austin
Delisa A. Ramos: University of Texas at Austin
Rodrigo Fregoso Ocampo: University of Texas at Austin
Caiden Ingram: University of Texas at Austin
David W. Taylor: University of Texas at Austin

Nature, 2024, vol. 630, issue 8018, 961-967

Abstract: Abstract Although eukaryotic Argonautes have a pivotal role in post-transcriptional gene regulation through nucleic acid cleavage, some short prokaryotic Argonaute variants (pAgos) rely on auxiliary nuclease factors for efficient foreign DNA degradation1. Here we reveal the activation pathway of the DNA defence module DdmDE system, which rapidly eliminates small, multicopy plasmids from the Vibrio cholerae seventh pandemic strain (7PET)2. Through a combination of cryo-electron microscopy, biochemistry and in vivo plasmid clearance assays, we demonstrate that DdmE is a catalytically inactive, DNA-guided, DNA-targeting pAgo with a distinctive insertion domain. We observe that the helicase-nuclease DdmD transitions from an autoinhibited, dimeric complex to a monomeric state upon loading of single-stranded DNA targets. Furthermore, the complete structure of the DdmDE–guide–target handover complex provides a comprehensive view into how DNA recognition triggers processive plasmid destruction. Our work establishes a mechanistic foundation for how pAgos utilize ancillary factors to achieve plasmid clearance, and provides insights into anti-plasmid immunity in bacteria.

Date: 2024
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DOI: 10.1038/s41586-024-07515-9

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