Proteases in bacteriophage defense systems and their potential in bioengineering

Novel phage defense systems featuring diverse enzymatic activities are continually being discovered. Among these, defense systems employing proteolytic enzymes have been identified, revealing a previously unrecognized enzymatic activity in phage defense. These protease-associated defense systems represent an untapped reservoir for new biotechnological tools and may serve as a springboard for the development of proteome editors. This review outlines recent advancements in the discovery and characterization of protease-containing defense systems, proposes methods for further exploration and investigation of protease activity, and considers the prospect of protease defense systems for modulating protein processing and cell fate.