The anti-phage defense system GAPS4 is a double-edged sword that sensitizes bacteria to DNA-damaging agents.

GAPS4 forms a heterotetrameric complex with active PD-(D/E)xK phosphodiesterase domains that, when triggered by DNA damage, degrades genomic DNA and induces cell suicide.

• Why it matters: Many bacterial anti-phage defenses are poorly understood, and it is unclear whether DNA-damage activation creates trade-offs with resistance to other DNA-targeting threats.
• What they did: The study characterized GAPS4 as a heterotetrameric complex with PD-(D/E)xK phosphodiesterase activity and tested how DNA-damage sensing drives genomic DNA degradation and suicide.
• The result: Activation makes GAPS4 a double-edged sword by sensitizing bacteria to various DNA-targeting antibacterial agents, suggesting an evolutionary trade-off between anti-phage defense and defense against interbacterial antagonism.

AI summary of the abstract · may contain errors · not medical advice · read the paper.