Self-association activates ThsB NAD+ hydrolase for defense against phage infection

Abstract

Toll/interleukin-1 receptor (TIR) domain serves as a canonical component in both animal and plant innate immunity pathways and is indicated, in some cases, to mediate nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD⁺) cleavage via self-association. Recent studies have revealed the involvement of TIR domains in a bacterial anti-phage defense system called Thoeris. The Thoeris system consists of two core proteins, ThsA and ThsB. Phage infection triggers the TIR-containing ThsB to produce an isomer of cyclic ADP-ribose, which is then transferred to and activates ThsA, leading to NAD⁺ depletion and subsequent cell death. However, the mechanism of ThsB activation remains elusive. Here, we present high-resolution crystal structures of E. coli ThsA and ThsB. Notably, an intact NAD⁺ molecule is observed in the active site of ThsB, implying that monomeric ThsB does not possess NADase activity. We demonstrate that ThsB forms 7-fold oligomers through negative staining electron microscopy, suggesting that self-association activates ThsB NAD⁺ hydrolase. Our findings indicate a new TIR self-association assembly in bacterial anti-phage systems.