Structural basis of Cas3 inhibition by the bacteriophage protein AcrF3

Nat Struct Mol Biol. 2016 Sep;23(9):868-70. doi: 10.1038/nsmb.3269. Epub 2016 Jul 25.

Abstract

Bacteriophages express proteins that inactivate the CRISPR-Cas bacterial immune system. Here we report the crystal structure of the anti-CRISPR protein AcrF3 in complex with Pseudomonas aeruginosa Cas3 (PaCas3). AcrF3 forms a homodimer that locks PaCas3 in an ADP-bound form, blocks the entrance of the DNA-binding tunnel in the helicase domain, and masks the linker region and C-terminal domain of PaCas3, thereby preventing recruitment by Cascade and inhibiting the type I-F CRISPR-Cas system.

MeSH terms

  • Bacterial Proteins / chemistry*
  • Bacteriophages / physiology*
  • CRISPR-Associated Proteins / chemistry*
  • Catalytic Domain
  • Crystallography, X-Ray
  • Hydrogen Bonding
  • Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions
  • Models, Molecular
  • Protein Conformation, alpha-Helical
  • Protein Interaction Domains and Motifs
  • Protein Structure, Quaternary
  • Pseudomonas aeruginosa / virology*
  • Viral Proteins / chemistry*

Substances

  • Bacterial Proteins
  • CRISPR-Associated Proteins
  • Viral Proteins