2026/02/01 by Changjialian Yang, Luyao Gong, Jing Guo +1 · 2 voices · 1 citation
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · Environmental Science · Immunology and Microbiology · #Acquired immune system #Adaptation (eye) #Bacteriophages and microbial interactions #Biological evolution #CRISPR and Genetic Engineering #Immune system #Innate immune system #Mechanism (biology) #Repertoire #Viral evolution #interferon and immune responses
paper · pdf · doi:10.1002/mlf2.70068
published in mLife 5(1), 3-16 (Wiley)
openalex publication_date 2026/02/01 · openalex created_date 2026/02/22 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/23
Bacteriophages and archaeal viruses are the most abundant biological entities on Earth. Through a long-standing co-evolutionary arms race, they have driven the emergence of a diverse repertoire of prokaryotic defense systems. This review summarizes these systems, highlighting their diverse antiviral mechanisms across distinct stages of viral infection, from surface barriers and inducible innate responses to specific adaptive defenses, and the intricate interplay between these defense strategies. By examining host-virus counter defense dynamics, the trade-off between survival benefit and adaptive cost, the co-evolution of RNA and protein components, and the comparison with eukaryotic immune systems, we underscore the intrinsic complexity and evolutionary plasticity of prokaryotic antiviral immunity. A deeper understanding of these processes and mechanisms will not only shed light on the origins and evolution of the immune system but also provide valuable opportunities for the development of biotechnological tools.