(A) Structural alignment of P74–26 gp87 β tulip domain
(blue) with the anti-CRISPR protein AcrIIC1 (β tulip in red; PDB:
5VGB).
(B) Topology diagram of AcrIIC1 reveals conserved β tulip domain
architecture.
(C) Cas9 binds stem side of the AcrIIC1 β tulip domain rather
than the bloom side.
(D) Decoration protein trimers form interactions with neighboring
subunits through the “bloom” end of the β tulip domain,
leaving the “stem” end exposed. Anti-CRISPR AcrIIC1 binds to the
Cas9 HNH domain through the stem end of the β tulip domain and may have
evolved from a bifunctional phage decoration protein.