Core Insights - The article discusses the phenomenon of "self-sacrifice" behavior in bees and microorganisms, highlighting its evolutionary significance and survival advantages for the group despite individual mortality [1][2][3]. Group 1: Research Findings - Researchers from the Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology have revealed how microorganisms exhibit "self-sacrifice" behavior under environmental stress, enhancing group survival [1][4]. - The study constructed two types of bacterial strains: "sacrificial" strains that release enzymes to degrade antibiotics and "cheater" strains that do not contribute to the group [2][3]. - The research demonstrated that in highly dispersed environments, the presence of sacrificial individuals significantly increases the overall survival rate of the group, while cheater strains are gradually eliminated [3]. Group 2: Methodology and Implications - The research utilized a synthetic biology system to simulate the behaviors of both sacrificial and cheater strains, employing automated machinery to enhance experimental efficiency [3][4]. - Findings indicate that the intensity of environmental pressure and the degree of dispersion influence the evolution of self-sacrificial behavior, with stronger pressures leading to more pronounced effects [3]. - The study's results provide insights into the evolutionary logic of extreme altruistic behaviors in nature and may offer new theoretical guidance for applications in biofilm control and antibiotic resistance management [4].

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the discovery of the cyclic-oligonucleotide-based anti-phage signaling systems (CBASS) in bacteria, highlighting its role in bacterial immunity against phage infections and the molecular mechanisms involved in the activation of phospholipase effectors [1][2][9]. Group 1: CBASS System Overview - The CBASS system is a complex defense mechanism found in over 10% of bacteria and archaea, which activates in response to phage infections by synthesizing cyclic oligonucleotide second messengers [1]. - This system has a clear evolutionary homology with the cGAS-STING immune pathway in higher organisms, indicating a shared evolutionary origin [1]. Group 2: Research Findings - A study published in the journal Cell reveals that phospholipase effectors in the CBASS system self-assemble into supramolecular fiber structures upon responding to cyclic oligonucleotide molecules, leading to bacterial cell membrane degradation and cell death [2][9]. - The research identifies that in its inactive state, the phospholipase effector CapE exists as a dimer with a closed substrate channel, which opens upon binding with the cyclic oligonucleotide cUA, triggering a conformational change and self-assembly into fibrous structures [5][6]. Group 3: Mechanism of Action - The activated CapE can efficiently cleave the cell membrane, resulting in cell lysis and death, demonstrating a conserved mechanism among CBASS phospholipase effectors [6][9]. - Similar phospholipase effectors, such as CapV from Vibrio cholerae, also form fibrous structures upon binding with second messenger molecules, suggesting a common mechanism for executing cell-killing functions [6][7]. Group 4: Evolutionary Insights - The self-assembly of phospholipase effectors in response to cyclic oligonucleotides mirrors the polymerization observed in the cGAS-STING pathway in eukaryotic cells, indicating a parallel evolution in immune response strategies between bacteria and higher organisms [7][9].