University of Chicago researchers reveal how viral enzymes switch between inserting and removing DNA
Scientists at the University of Chicago published a study in Molecular Cell describing how bacteriophage enzymes insert and remove genetic material.
Enzymes recognize specific host sequences
The research shows that large serine integrases allow phages to attach to bacterial cells and inject their own DNA. These molecular machines identify particular DNA sequences within the host genome before inserting large stretches of viral genetic code with high precision.
Enzymes can reverse their action
The study demonstrates that these same enzymes can switch directions to remove the inserted phage DNA without leaving a trace. Professor Phoebe Rice noted that when functioning correctly, the process does not create any nicks or damage in the host DNA bonds.
New tools for genome engineering
Understanding this switching mechanism offers new insights for developing more precise tools used in synthetic biology and genome editing projects. The findings highlight how nature evolved efficient gene-editing tools that operate with remarkable accuracy inside bacterial cells.
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