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Virology

Phages make a group decision

Nature volume 541, pages 466–467 (2017)Cite this article

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It emerges that phage viruses, which infect bacteria, use small peptides to communicate with each other. This observation of intercellular communication also reveals how viruses make a key developmental decision. See Article p.488

When a major decision looms, people often seek advice from friends or relatives. Erez et al.1 reveals on page 488 that bacterium-targeting viruses known as phages also show a collaborative aspect to a developmental decision-making process. In this case, intercellular communication occurs through the use of a viral peptide. Intercellular molecular communication between viruses hadn't been observed before, and this study illuminates a previously unknown mechanism of viral action.

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Figure 1: Phages use a small peptide to communicate with each other.

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  1. Alan R. Davidson is in the Departments of Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto M5S 1A8, Canada.,

    Alan R. Davidson

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  1. Alan R. Davidson
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Correspondence to Alan R. Davidson.

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Davidson, A. Phages make a group decision. Nature 541, 466–467 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1038/nature21118

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