Jun-Tao Zhang

Oct 3, 2024 | nature.com | Jun-Tao Zhang |Zhuolin Li |Jie Wang

AbstractEukaryotic Argonaute proteins (eAgos) utilize short nucleic acid guides to target complementary sequences for RNA silencing, while prokaryotic Agos (pAgos) provide immunity against invading plasmids or bacteriophages. The Sir2-domain associated short pAgo (SPARSA) immune system defends against invaders by depleting NAD+ and triggering cell death. However, the molecular mechanism underlying SPARSA activation remains unknown.

Nov 5, 2023 | nature.com | Jun-Tao Zhang |Ruilin Tian

AbstractArgonaute proteins (Agos), which use small RNAs or DNAs as guides to recognize complementary nucleic acid targets, mediate RNA silencing in eukaryotes. In prokaryotes, Agos are involved in immunity: the short prokaryotic Ago/TIR–APAZ (SPARTA) immune system triggers cell death by degrading NAD+ in response to invading plasmids, but its molecular mechanisms remain unknown.