Cyclic nucleotide-induced helical structure activates a TIR immune effector

Cyclic nucleotide signalling is a key component of antiviral defence in all domains of life. Viral detection activates a nucleotide cyclase to generate a second messenger, resulting in activation of effector proteins. This is exemplified by the metazoan cGAS–STING innate immunity pathway 1 , which originated in bacteria 2 . These defence systems require a sensor domain to bind the cyclic nucleotide and are often coupled with an effector domain that, when activated, causes cell death by destroying essential biomolecules 3 . One example is the Toll/interleukin-1 receptor (TIR) domain, which degrades the essential cofactor NAD + when activated in response to infection in plants and bacteria 2 , 4 , 5 or during programmed nerve cell death 6 . Here we show that a bacterial antiviral defence system generates a cyclic tri-adenylate that binds to a TIR–SAVED effector, acting as the ‘glue’ to allow assembly of an extended superhelical solenoid structure. Adjacent TIR subunits interact to organize and complete a composite active site, allowing NAD + degradation. Activation requires extended filament formation, both in vitro and in vivo. Our study highlights an example of large-scale molecular assembly controlled by cyclic nucleotides and reveals key details of the mechanism of TIR enzyme activation.