Molecular CellPub Date : 2025-10-16DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2025.09.003
Hugo Vaysset, Aude Bernheim
{"title":"The multifaceted roles of NAD+ in bacterial immunity","authors":"Hugo Vaysset, Aude Bernheim","doi":"10.1016/j.molcel.2025.09.003","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.molcel.2025.09.003","url":null,"abstract":"Bacteriophages impose significant evolutionary pressure on bacteria, driving the emergence of a diverse array of antiphage defense systems. A central player in many identified antiphage systems is nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD<sup>+</sup>). This review explores the multifaceted roles of NAD<sup>+</sup> in bacterial immunity, from its function as an essential metabolite and substrate for enzymatic defense to its involvement in signal transduction pathways. We examine how antiphage systems manipulate NAD<sup>+</sup> to block phage infection and, conversely, how phages employ counterdefense strategies targeting immune pathways that rely on NAD,<sup>+</sup> or use NAD<sup>+</sup> themselves to evade host immunity. Finally, we discuss the remarkable evolutionary conservation of these NAD<sup>+</sup>-centric immune actors and strategies in eukaryotic innate immunity. This highlights NAD<sup>+</sup>’s pivotal role in innate immunity across domains of life.","PeriodicalId":18950,"journal":{"name":"Molecular Cell","volume":"2 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":16.0,"publicationDate":"2025-10-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145295474","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Molecular CellPub Date : 2025-10-16DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2025.09.009
Eugene Varfolomeev, Vishnu Mohanan, Domagoj Vucic
{"title":"S-Palmitoylation regulates signaling mediated by NLRP3 and other innate immune receptors","authors":"Eugene Varfolomeev, Vishnu Mohanan, Domagoj Vucic","doi":"10.1016/j.molcel.2025.09.009","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.molcel.2025.09.009","url":null,"abstract":"The innate immune system coordinates the immediate response to microbial pathogens and tissue damage to allow pathogen clearance and tissue repair. Pathogen recognition receptors (PRRs) recognize danger- and pathogen-associated molecular patterns to trigger immune signaling. The PRR NLRP3 is activated by inflammatory stimuli to instigate the formation of the NLRP3-associated inflammasome. Emerging data highlight the importance of S-palmitoylation (or S-acylation) for NLRP3 activation. Several protein acyltransferases promote NLRP3 S-palmitoylation at a distinct set of cysteine residues to regulate assembly and intracellular localization of the NLRP3 inflammasome. S-Palmitoylation of gasdermin D (GSDMD) and other mediators of innate immunity, including NOD2, Toll-like receptors (TLRs), and stimulator of interferon gene (STING), also modulates immune responses and inflammatory cell death. However, the physiological implication of these S-palmitoylation events has not been established yet, and S-palmitoylation can have a negative effect on inflammatory signaling as well. This review outlines the key features of S-palmitoylation in innate immune signaling and highlights the unresolved questions.","PeriodicalId":18950,"journal":{"name":"Molecular Cell","volume":"11 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":16.0,"publicationDate":"2025-10-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145295521","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Molecular CellPub Date : 2025-10-16DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2025.09.022
Stacy M. Horner
{"title":"Split-site ubiquitination gives ZNFX1 new power in RNA defense","authors":"Stacy M. Horner","doi":"10.1016/j.molcel.2025.09.022","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.molcel.2025.09.022","url":null,"abstract":"Recent work by Grabarczyk et al.<span><span><sup>1</sup></span></span> uncovers the molecular mechanism by which ZNFX1, an interferon-stimulated gene, employs a novel split-site E3 ligase domain structure to ubiquitinate both protein lysine residues and RNA 2′ hydroxyls. This activity enables ZNFX1 to compact pathogenic RNA into dense, ubiquitin-coated particles, revealing a new modality for interferon-induced antiviral defense.","PeriodicalId":18950,"journal":{"name":"Molecular Cell","volume":"28 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":16.0,"publicationDate":"2025-10-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145295471","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Molecular CellPub Date : 2025-10-16DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2025.09.008
Mariska van Huizen, Michaela U. Gack
{"title":"The RIG-I-like receptor family of immune proteins","authors":"Mariska van Huizen, Michaela U. Gack","doi":"10.1016/j.molcel.2025.09.008","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.molcel.2025.09.008","url":null,"abstract":"Retinoic acid-inducible gene-I (RIG-I)-like receptors (RLRs) are crucial cytosolic RNA sensors in the innate immune defense against virus infections. RLRs recognize defined molecular features in viral RNAs; however, virus infection can also trigger sensing of host-derived RNAs due to disturbances in host cell RNA processing, localization, or protein interactome. The activity and stability of RLRs are tightly controlled by various host proteins and post-translational modifications (PTMs), enabling protective antiviral immune responses when needed while preventing aberrant RLR activation. Recent studies revealed that metabolic reprogramming during virus infection regulates RLR signaling, while RLR responses, in turn, influence host metabolism. Furthermore, increasing evidence suggests that RLRs and various host cell processes are interregulated. In this review, we discuss the specific features of RLR ligands and how RLR signaling is regulated by host factors and PTMs. We also highlight how RLR signaling is integrated with other cellular processes, including metabolism, cytoskeleton dynamics, and autophagy.","PeriodicalId":18950,"journal":{"name":"Molecular Cell","volume":"24 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":16.0,"publicationDate":"2025-10-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145295516","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Molecular CellPub Date : 2025-10-16DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2025.09.027
Luoyi Li, Jun Lu
{"title":"Sugar coats shield immunogenic RNA modification:A new function for RNA glycosylation","authors":"Luoyi Li, Jun Lu","doi":"10.1016/j.molcel.2025.09.027","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.molcel.2025.09.027","url":null,"abstract":"A new function of glycosylated RNAs has been discovered by Graziano et al.<span><span><sup>1</sup></span></span> in which the glycosylation of RNA molecules shields acp³U RNA modification from triggering innate immune responses.","PeriodicalId":18950,"journal":{"name":"Molecular Cell","volume":"58 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":16.0,"publicationDate":"2025-10-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145295472","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Molecular CellPub Date : 2025-10-16DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2025.09.007
Ruochan Chen, Ju Zou, Jiao Liu, Rui Kang, Daolin Tang
{"title":"DAMPs in the immunogenicity of cell death","authors":"Ruochan Chen, Ju Zou, Jiao Liu, Rui Kang, Daolin Tang","doi":"10.1016/j.molcel.2025.09.007","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.molcel.2025.09.007","url":null,"abstract":"Damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) are endogenous molecules—such as proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids—released or exposed during cellular injury or stress, which shape immune responses by engaging danger sensors on the cell surface or within the cell interior. Recent advances have elucidated molecular links between distinct cell death pathways—apoptosis, necroptosis, pyroptosis, and ferroptosis—and DAMP release, emphasizing how biochemical features (e.g., posttranslational modifications) and temporal dynamics influence immunogenic versus tolerogenic outcomes. Here, we summarize these mechanisms, including both immunostimulatory and immunosuppressive DAMPs, and review key DAMP receptors—such as TLRs, NLRs, cGAS, and advanced glycosylation end-product-specific receptor (AGER)/RAGE—along with their downstream signaling cascades. Finally, we highlight emerging strategies to modulate DAMP signaling for cancer immunotherapy and the treatment of inflammatory diseases.","PeriodicalId":18950,"journal":{"name":"Molecular Cell","volume":"28 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":16.0,"publicationDate":"2025-10-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145295522","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Molecular CellPub Date : 2025-10-16DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2025.09.014
Gaia Loucas, Nicolas Locker, Roy Parker
{"title":"Nucleic acid-protein condensates in innate immunity","authors":"Gaia Loucas, Nicolas Locker, Roy Parker","doi":"10.1016/j.molcel.2025.09.014","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.molcel.2025.09.014","url":null,"abstract":"Mammalian cells combat pathogens by diverse mechanisms. A key aspect of host defense is the pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) that recognize foreign nucleic acids and activate innate immune signaling pathways. Dysregulation of innate immunity is associated with both infectious diseases and chronic inflammatory conditions. Recent results argue that recognition of, and signaling from, foreign nucleic acids can be modulated by the concentration of PRRs and their nucleic acid ligands into RNA/DNA-protein co-condensates. Such condensates can affect the initiation of distinct cell death programs, proinflammatory signaling, host shutdown, and the innate immune response. Given these roles, hosts and pathogens have evolved to promote or antagonize PRR-nucleic acid condensation. Moreover, general ribonucleoprotein (RNP) granules such as stress granules and paraspeckles can either promote the formation of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) and/or influence the response to foreign nucleic acids. Herein, we discuss advances in the field that address the relationship between RNA/DNA-protein co-condensates and innate immune regulation.","PeriodicalId":18950,"journal":{"name":"Molecular Cell","volume":"9 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":16.0,"publicationDate":"2025-10-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145295518","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Molecular CellPub Date : 2025-10-16DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2025.09.026
Heather Bisbee
{"title":"Molecular mechanisms in innate immunity","authors":"Heather Bisbee","doi":"10.1016/j.molcel.2025.09.026","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.molcel.2025.09.026","url":null,"abstract":"<h2>Section snippets</h2><section><section><h2>Main text</h2>In the everlasting conflict between host species and invading pathogens, innate immunity provides an early line of defense. Comprising intrinsic defensive mechanisms, innate immune systems are found across the tree of life. There is a strong appreciation of the cell types contributing to innate immune responses and the pathways that enable their function. Excitingly, interest has turned to characterizing the underlying molecular mechanisms that drive cellular immune responses and to an emphasis</section></section>","PeriodicalId":18950,"journal":{"name":"Molecular Cell","volume":"54 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":16.0,"publicationDate":"2025-10-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145295469","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Molecular CellPub Date : 2025-10-16DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2025.09.018
Jeremy Kean Yi Yap, Kinga Duszyc, Kate Schroder
{"title":"NLRP1 under pressure: An overview of the NLRP1 inflammasome as a sensor of cellular stress","authors":"Jeremy Kean Yi Yap, Kinga Duszyc, Kate Schroder","doi":"10.1016/j.molcel.2025.09.018","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.molcel.2025.09.018","url":null,"abstract":"NLRP1 (NACHT, leucine-rich repeats [LRRs], and pyrin domain [PYD]-containing protein 1) is a microbe and stress sensor that, upon activation, forms a caspase-1-activating inflammasome that drives IL-1β and IL-18 maturation and pyroptotic cell death. NLRP1 exhibits allelic diversity and interspecies differences in protein architecture, activating stimuli and expression patterns. Despite this complexity, human NLRP1 is emerging as an important sensor of perturbations in epithelial homeostasis, with key functions in epithelial inflammation, integrity, and barrier function. Here, we review recent discoveries of NLRP1 activation pathways, insights that may be gained from the related proteins caspase recruitment domain 8 (CARD8) and PIDD1, and open questions that continue to challenge the field as we move toward greater understanding of this enigmatic signaling pathway.","PeriodicalId":18950,"journal":{"name":"Molecular Cell","volume":"1 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":16.0,"publicationDate":"2025-10-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145295520","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Amino acid and cholesterol metabolism in innate immunity","authors":"Weiyun Li, Miao Jin, Hongye Li, Ruiyue Zhong, Zhaoheng Lin, Miao Shen, Hongyan Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.molcel.2025.09.019","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.molcel.2025.09.019","url":null,"abstract":"Innate immune cells not only serve as the first line of defense against pathogen invasion but also play essential roles in the immune regulatory function of various diseases. Distinct innate immune cells and their subtypes exhibit unique metabolic profiles, and their activation, differentiation, and effector functions are tightly governed by a complex regulatory network involving both intracellular metabolism and metabolites derived from the surrounding microenvironment. Cholesterol and amino acids function not only as structural constituents of membranes and proteins but also as signaling mediators that fine-tune immune cell activity. Importantly, their metabolic pathways are tightly interconnected. This review focuses on amino acid and cholesterol metabolism, offering comprehensive insights into how these metabolic processes shape innate immune cell function during homeostasis or pathological conditions. We further discuss emerging metabolic targets and therapeutic strategies aimed at modulating innate immunity in the context of immune-related diseases.","PeriodicalId":18950,"journal":{"name":"Molecular Cell","volume":"1 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":16.0,"publicationDate":"2025-10-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145295840","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}