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| Title | Structural basis of Retron-Eco8-mediated antiphage defense. |
|---|---|
| Journal, issue, pages | Nucleic Acids Res, Vol. 54, Issue 4, Year 2026 |
| Publish date | Feb 5, 2026 |
Authors | Chao Xiong / Huan Pu / Yiwen Tang / Ting Liu / Dantong Luo / Qiang Chen / Yamei Yu / ![]() |
| PubMed Abstract | Retrons represent a novel class of bacterial defense systems that employ reverse transcriptase (RT), noncoding RNA, and effector proteins to counteract phage infections. In this study, we elucidate ...Retrons represent a novel class of bacterial defense systems that employ reverse transcriptase (RT), noncoding RNA, and effector proteins to counteract phage infections. In this study, we elucidate the molecular mechanism of a retron system, Retron-Eco8. Biochemical experiments reveal that the Retron-Eco8 holocomplex, rather than the effector alone, exhibits double-stranded DNA cleavage activity, triggering abortive infection and therefore effectively halting phage propagation. Cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) analysis reveals a supramolecular assembly comprising four RT subunits, four multicopy single-stranded DNA molecules, and four overcoming lysogenization defect (OLD) nucleases-a configuration critical for antiphage defense. Notably, we examine the activation of Retron-Eco8 by diverse single-stranded DNA-binding (SSB) proteins, and phylogenetic analysis of these SSB proteins elucidates the phage resistance specificity. Collectively, our findings delineate the structural architecture of the Retron-Eco8 defense complex and provide mechanistic insights into retron-mediated bacterial immunity. |
External links | Nucleic Acids Res / PubMed:41665008 / PubMed Central |
| Methods | EM (single particle) |
| Resolution | 2.8 Å |
| Structure data | EMDB-66663, PDB-9x9b: |
| Chemicals | ![]() ChemComp-ATP: ![]() ChemComp-MG: |
| Source |
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Keywords | RNA BINDING PROTEIN/RNA/DNA / complex / RNA BINDING PROTEIN-RNA-DNA complex |
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