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Structure of the resting EcDRT3 reverse transcriptase in complex with its non-coding RNA
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Structural highlights
Publication Abstract from PubMedDefense-associated reverse transcriptases (DRTs) are widespread bacterial anti-phage systems that use unconventional mechanisms of polynucleotide synthesis. We show that DRT3, which comprises two distinct RTs (Drt3a and Drt3b) and a noncoding RNA (ncRNA), synthesizes alternating poly(GT/AC) double-stranded DNA. Cryo-electron microscopy structures at 2.6 A resolution reveal a D3-symmetric 6:6:6 complex of Drt3a, Drt3b, and ncRNA. Drt3a produces the poly(GT) strand using a conserved ACACAC template within the ncRNA. Notably, Drt3b synthesizes a complementary, protein-primed poly(AC) strand in the complete absence of a nucleic acid template, using conserved active site residues specific to Drt3b to enforce precise base alternation. These findings expand the functional landscape of nucleic acid polymerases, revealing a protein-templated mechanism for sequence-specific DNA synthesis. Protein-templated synthesis of dinucleotide repeat DNA by an antiphage reverse transcriptase.,Deng P, Lee H, Armijo C, Wang H, Gao A Science. 2026 Apr 16:eaed1656. doi: 10.1126/science.aed1656. PMID:41990131[1] From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine. References
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This page was last modified 08:39, 29 April 2026.