mBio (Apr 2021)
SspABCD-SspFGH Constitutes a New Type of DNA Phosphorothioate-Based Bacterial Defense System
Abstract
We recently found that SspABCD, catalyzing single-stranded (ss) DNA phosphorothioate (PT) modification, coupled with SspE provides protection against phage infection. SspE performs both PT-simulated NTPase and DNA-nicking nuclease activities to damage phage DNA, rendering SspA-E a PT-sensing defense system.