ADP-ribosylation systems in bacteria and viruses

ADP-ribosylation is an ancient posttranslational modification present in all kingdoms of life. The system likely originated in bacteria where it functions in inter- and intra-species conflict, stress response and pathogenicity. It was repeatedly adopted via lateral transfer by eukaryotes, including humans, where it has a pivotal role in epigenetics, DNA-damage repair, apoptosis, and other crucial pathways including the immune response to pathogenic bacteria and viruses. In other words, the same ammunition used by pathogens is adapted by eukaryotes to fight back. While we know quite a lot about the eukaryotic system, expanding rather patchy knowledge on bacterial and viral ADP-ribosylation would give us not only a better understanding of the system as a whole but a fighting advantage in this constant arms race. By writing this review we hope to put into focus the available information and give a perspective on how this system works and can be exploited in the search for therapeutic targets in the future. The relevance of the subject is especially highlighted by the current situation of being amid the world pandemic caused by a virus harbouring and dependent on a representative of such a system. (C) 2021 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of Research Network of Computational and Structural Biotechnology.

Automated summary

ADP-ribosylation is an ancient posttranslational modification present in all kingdoms of life, with crucial roles in eukaryotes but still with limited understanding in bacteria and viruses. Research on this system may provide a fighting advantage in the search for therapeutic targets in the future. The relevance of this subject is highlighted by the current world pandemic caused by a virus dependent on a representative of such a system.