A recent study published in Nature on August 19, 2026, has found that the T7 bacteriophage deactivates bacterial defence systems through T7K phosphorylation of nearly all host and phage proteins during infection.[2332][2335] This discovery reveals the T7K enzyme to be a 'loose cannon' that enables viruses to overpower bacterial defences by phosphorylating nearly all bacterial proteins.[2332][2335] The study, which used T7K phosphorylation of DNA-binding proteins to disable defence systems targeting nucleic acids, has significant implications for our understanding of viral-bacterial interactions.[2332][2335] According to the researchers, T7K phosphorylation is a key mechanism by which viruses evade or counter bacterial defence systems.[2332][2335] The findings have been published in two Nature articles on August 19, 2026, highlighting the importance of T7K in viral-bacterial interactions.[2332][2335]