Peter C. Fineran

Jan 16, 2025 | biorxiv.org | Sean Meaden |Edze R. Westra |Peter C. Fineran

AbstractThe defence systems bacteria use to protect themselves from their viruses are mechanistically and genetically diverse. Yet the ecological conditions that predict when defences are selected for remain unclear, as substantial variation in defence prevalence has been reported. Experimental work in simple communities suggests ecological factors can determine when specific defence systems are most beneficial, but applying these findings to complex communities has been challenging.

Nov 13, 2024 | nature.com | Xinyue Wang |William J Jowsey |Boatema Ofori-Anyinam |Nicholas West |Jason Yang |Peter C. Fineran | +3 more

AbstractDrug-resistant strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis are a major global health problem. Resistance to the front-line antibiotic isoniazid is often associated with mutations in the katG-encoded bifunctional catalase-peroxidase. We hypothesise that perturbed KatG activity would generate collateral vulnerabilities in isoniazid-resistant katG mutants, providing potential pathway targets to combat isoniazid resistance.

Apr 18, 2024 | nature.com | Evan Schwartz |Mohd Neyaz Ahsan |Luis A. Macias |Caitlyn L. McCafferty |Tyler L Dangerfield |Jada Walker | +4 more

AbstractCRISPR-Cas are adaptive immune systems in bacteria and archaea that utilize CRISPR RNA-guided surveillance complexes to target complementary RNA or DNA for destruction1,2,3,4,5. Target RNA cleavage at regular intervals is characteristic of type III effector complexes6,7,8. Here, we determine the structures of the Synechocystis type III-Dv complex, an apparent evolutionary intermediate from multi-protein to single-protein type III effectors9,10, in pre- and post-cleavage states.

Jan 30, 2024 | biorxiv.org | Thomas Hughes |Peter C. Fineran |Simon Jackson |Leighton J Payne

AbstractBacteria and archaea typically have multiple defence systems that protect them against viral predation. Recently, many new defence systems have been discovered, yet the full scope of the prokaryotic pan-immune system remains to be determined. In this study, we observed that many multi-gene defence systems have additional genes nested or "embedded" within them.