A landmark study published on December 18, 2025, reveals how viruses manipulate host cells through covert RNA communication, rewriting our understanding of microbial warfare. Researchers from Israel and the U.S. employed cutting-edge techniques to map RNA interactions in E. coli bacteria during lambda phage infections, exposing a sophisticated biological espionage system.
Central to the discovery is a viral RNA molecule called PreS, which mimics host instructions to sabotage bacterial DNA replication. By binding to bacterial mRNA, PreS forces the host to overproduce DNA-copying machinery—resources the virus then steals to mass-produce its own genetic material. Experiments showed disabling PreS reduced viral replication by over 50%, highlighting its critical role.
The study, published in Molecular Cell, identified similar PreS sequences across diverse viruses and bacterial genomes, suggesting this “molecular Trojan horse” strategy could be widespread in nature. This breakthrough provides unprecedented insight into viral infection dynamics and opens doors to novel antimicrobial therapies targeting these hidden RNA mechanisms.
Dr. Amir Levine, co-author from Tel Aviv University, told KhabarAsia: “We’re essentially decoding a secret language viruses use to commandeer life itself. This could revolutionize how we combat antibiotic-resistant superbugs.” The findings come as global health organizations prioritize alternatives to traditional antibiotics, with RNA-targeted treatments now emerging as a key frontier.
