Wadjet

Contributors: Florian Tesson

Description

Wadjet is a defense system discovered in 2018 (N/A) . This system is named after the goddess Wadjet matron and protector of the lower Egypt.

This system was discovered using the defense island concept (N/A) . However, this system do not show any activity against phages, this system provides a resistance against plasmid transformation (N/A, N/A) .

This system is composed of 4 genes: JetA, JetB, JetC and JetD. JetA, JetB and JetC were found to be similar to respectively MukF, MukE and MukB which are housekeeping genes (N/A, N/A) . Notably, JetC (similar to MukB) is a SMC domain-containing protein.

Molecular mechanism

Wadjet was shown to possess an anti-plasmid activity via close, circular DNA cleavage (N/A) . JetA, B and C were shown to form a complex which acts as a sensor detecting the foreign DNA using topology sensing. The JetD protein forms a homodimeric endonuclease that cleaves double-stranded DNA. JetD needs to be in contact with the JetABC complex to be able to cleave DNA.

The precise mechanism suggested by the authors (N/A) is that the JetABC complex binds to the DNA and extrudes DNA loops similarly to Muk and other SMC proteins (N/A, N/A) . These loops are then cleaved by JetD.

Example of genomic structure

A total of 3 subsystems have been described for the Wadjet system.

Here is some examples found in the RefSeq database:

The Wadjet_I system in Corynebacterium humireducens (GCF_000819445.1, NZ_CP005286) is composed of 4 proteins JetA_I (WP_040084540.1) JetB_I (WP_052437638.1) JetC_I (WP_040084541.1) JetD_I (WP_040084542.1)

The Wadjet_II system in Streptomyces paludis (GCF_003344965.1, NZ_CP031194) is composed of 4 proteins JetA_II (WP_114665121.1) JetB_II (WP_114660010.1) JetC_II (WP_114660011.1) JetD_II (WP_228447139.1)

The Wadjet_III system in Cytobacillus spongiae (GCF_021390075.1, NZ_CP089997) is composed of 4 proteins JetD_III (WP_233811322.1) JetA_III (WP_233811323.1) JetB_III (WP_233811324.1) JetC_III (WP_233811325.1)

Distribution of the system among prokaryotes

Among the NaN complete genomes of RefSeq, the Wadjet is detected in NaN genomes (NaN %). The system was detected in NaN different species.
phylum
Percent genome having the system
0
100
Minimum genomes count to display

Structure

Summary
Group
Structure
Foldseek
System
Gene name
Subtype
Proteins in structure
System genes
Prediction type
N genes in sys
pLDDT
iptm+ptm
pDockQ
No data available

Experimental validation