The origin and impeded dissemination of the DNA phosphorothioation system in prokaryotes.

ABSTRACT: Phosphorothioate (PT) modification by the dnd gene cluster is the first identified DNA backbone modification and constitute an epigenetic system with multiple functions, including antioxidant ability, restriction modification, and virus resistance. Despite these advantages for hosting dnd systems, they are surprisingly distributed sporadically among contemporary prokaryotic genomes. To address this ecological paradox, we systematically investigate the occurrence and phylogeny of dnd systems, and they are suggested to have originated in ancient Cyanobacteria after the Great Oxygenation Event. Interestingly, the occurrence of dnd systems and prophages is significantly negatively correlated. Further, we experimentally confirm that PT modification activates the filamentous phage SW1 by alterin

SUBMITTER: Jian H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8569181 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature