Bacteria Detect Viral Protease Activity to Trigger Self-Destructive Immunity
A new study in Science reveals that bacteria can detect viral invasion by sensing the enzymatic activity of phage proteases, rather than just viral genetic material. This discovery identifies a specific trigger for the CBASS immune system, which causes infected bacteria to self-destruct to prevent viral spread. Understanding this mechanism offers a pathway for engineering phages that evade bacterial defenses, potentially improving treatments for antibiotic-resistant infections.