Resistance and tolerance to foreign elements by prokaryotic immune systems - curating the genome.
To engage in adaptive symbioses or genetic exchange, organisms must interact with foreign, non-self elements despite the risks of predation and parasitism. By surveying the interface between self and non-self, immune systems can help ensure the benevolence of these interactions without isolating their hosts altogether. In this Essay, we examine prokaryotic restriction-modification and CRISPR-Cas (clustered, regularly interspaced palindromic repeat-CRISPR-associated proteins) activities and discuss their analogy to mammalian immune pathways. We further explain how their capacities for resistance and tolerance are optimized to reduce parasitism and immunopathology during encounters with non-self.
Laboratory of Bacteriology, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York City, New York 10065, USA.
Gregory W
GW
Goldberg
Laboratory of Bacteriology, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York City, New York 10065, USA.
Luciano A
LA
Marraffini
D056704:Adaptive Immunity; D064113:CRISPR-Cas Systems / Q000235:genetics; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D022761:Gene Transfer, Horizontal; D016678:Genome; D006801:Humans; D007107:Immune System / Q000276:immunology*; D007108:Immune Tolerance