DNA restriction-modification enzymes articles from across Nature Portfolio

Programmable, RNA-guided nucleases are diverse enzymes that have been repurposed for biotechnological applications. Here, the authors mine an extensive genome-resolved metagenomics database and identified uncharacterized families of RNA-guided, compact nucleases.

The mode of action of the biological Dnd antiphage defence system to cleave foreign DNA was not known. Now the activities of Dnd protein complexes are revealed, and a mechanism to discriminate between self-DNA and invading DNA is proposed.

SspABCD–SspE is a phosphorothioation-sensing bacterial defence system. Here, authors find that SspE exploits DNA phosphorothioation-binding preference to modulate its biochemical activities for the self/nonself discrimination and phage resistance.

A PAMless CRISPR nuclease is applied for precision DNA cleavage and cloning.

The bacterial defense system McrBC is a two-component motor-driven nuclease complex that cleaves foreign DNA. Here, the authors present the structures of the GTP-specific AAA + motor protein McrB and two McrBC complexes and discuss the molecular mechanism of how McrC binding stimulates McrB GTP hydrolysis.