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Following Cell-fate in E. coli After Infection by Phage Lambda
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'Insane in the membrane': 2',3'-cGAMP triggers filamentous phage defense

Megan Wang1, Samuel H Sternberg2

  • 1Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA.

Cell Host & Microbe
|April 9, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Bacteria produce a signaling molecule, 2

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • The signaling molecule 2',3'-cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGAMP) was previously thought to be exclusive to animals.
  • Bacterial defense mechanisms against phages are crucial for microbial survival.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the production and function of 2',3'-cGAMP in bacteria.
  • To explore the evolutionary origins of cGAS-STING-like signaling pathways.

Main Methods:

  • Bacterial strain analysis
  • Molecular cloning
  • Biochemical assays
  • Microscopy

Main Results:

  • Bacteria were found to produce 2',3'-cGAMP.
  • This molecule activates a SAVED-domain effector protein.
  • The activated effector forms filaments that disrupt bacterial membranes, leading to abortive infection and preventing phage replication.

Conclusions:

  • The discovery of 2',3'-cGAMP production in bacteria expands its known evolutionary distribution.
  • This finding reveals a novel bacterial defense system against bacteriophages.
  • It suggests a broader evolutionary history for cGAS-STING-like signaling pathways than previously understood.

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