Unexpected RNA modification protects bacteria against viral infection

Nature, Published online: 04 December 2024; doi:10.1038/d41586-024-03923-z

Adding to the ever-growing list of newly discovered bacterial immune systems, we have characterized the mechanisms of an antiviral system called CmdTAC. CmdTAC blocks virus reproduction by modifying messenger RNA — a molecule needed to create proteins — through a chemical reaction not previously observed on an RNA base.