Intercepting biological messages: Antibacterial molecules targeting nucleic acids during interbacterial conflicts.

Bacteria live in polymicrobial communities and constantly compete for resources. These organisms have evolved an array of antibacterial weapons to inhibit the growth or kill competitors. The arsenal comprises antibiotics, bacteriocins, and contact-dependent effectors that are either secreted in the medium or directly translocated into target cells.

Antibacterial T6SS effectors with a VRR-Nuc domain are structure-specific nucleases.

The type VI secretion system (T6SS) secretes antibacterial effectors into target competitors. spp. encode five phylogenetically distinct T6SSs.