Bacteria Turn Viral Enzyme into Self‑Destruct Signal

Scientists have discovered that certain bacteria can detect viral infection by exploiting a virus‑produced enzyme. The enzyme cleaves a bacterial sensor protein, which in turn activates an immune response that causes the bacterial cell to self‑destruct. This mechanism provides a natural defense against bacteriophages and offers a novel angle for developing phage therapies aimed at antibiotic‑resistant bacterial strains. By understanding how bacteria repurpose viral tools for immunity, researchers may also uncover evolutionary links to similar ancient immune pathways in humans, potentially informing new antimicrobial strategies.