Structural basis for regulation of a CBASS-CRISPR-Cas defense island by a transmembrane anti-σ factor and its ECF σ partner | Science Advances

How CRISPR-Cas and cyclic oligonucleotide–based antiphage signaling systems (CBASS) are coordinately deployed against invaders remains unclear. We show that a locus containing two CBASS and one type III-B CRISPR-Cas system, regulated by the transmembrane anti-σ DdvA and its cognate extracytoplasmic function (ECF) σ DdvS, can defend Myxococcus xanthus against a phage. Cryo–electron microscopy reveals DdvA-DdvS pairs assemble as arrow-shaped transmembrane dimers. Each DdvA periplasmic domain adopts a separase/craspase-type tetratricopeptide repeat (TPR)–caspase HetF–associated with TPR (TPR-CHAT) architecture with an incomplete His-Cys active site, lacking three α-helices conserved among CHAT domains. Each active site faces the dimer interface, raising the possibility that signal-induced caspase-like DdvA autoproteolysis in trans precedes RseP-mediated intramembrane proteolysis and DdvS release. Nuclear magnetic resonance reveals a DdvA cytoplasmic CHCC-type zinc-bound three-helix bundle that binds to DdvS σ ₂ and σ ₄ domains, undergoing σ ₄ -induced helix extension to trap DdvS. Altogether, we provide structural-mechanistic insights into membrane anti–σ-ECF σ regulation of an antiviral CBASS-CRISPR-Cas defense island.