Tracing the evolutionary origins of antiviral immunity

by James B. Eaglesham, Philip J. Kranzusch

Animal and bacterial cells use shared mechanisms to defend against viruses. Analyzing 3 families of immune genes, a new study in PLOS Biology illuminates this evolutionary connection and traces the emergence of antiviral signaling across domains of life. Animal and bacterial cells use shared mechanisms to defend against viruses. This Primer explores a PLOS Biology study which uses analysis of three families of immune genes to illuminate this evolutionary connection and trace the emergence of antiviral signaling across domains of life.