16.04.2026
Invisible to bacteria: scientists have discovered a new trick of bacteriophages
Scientists describe a new mechanism that demonstrates the complexity of the "battle" between viruses and bacteria. The bacteriophage in question is HY126, which has a specialized enzyme system in its genome that modifies viral DNA. This mechanism involves two sequential chemical modifications of cytosine, one of the DNA bases: hydroxylation and the subsequent addition of arabinose molecules. This discovery expands our understanding of phage biology and reveals new ways in which viruses evade bacterial defenses.
