In bacteria, cCMP and cUMP have a key role in defense against infection with bacterial viruses. Bacteriophages encode phosphodiesterases (PDEs; 'nucleases'; Apyc1), which cleave cCMP/cUMP, counteracting this defense. We propose that PDEs are of broader biological relevance, including cCMP/cUMP-cleaving PDEs of eukaryotic viruses, which may constitute new drug targets.
Keywords: Pycsar; anti-Pycsar (Apyc); drug targets; phosphodiesterases (PDEs); poxins; virus infections.
Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.