Sea anemone flips a human antiviral strategy on its head

A new study has uncovered a previously unknown antiviral defense mechanism in sea anemones, revealing that animals may have evolved more than one way to fight viral infections. Researchers discovered that a protein resembling a key component of the human immune system actually plays the opposite role, yet remains essential for effective antiviral protection. The findings challenge assumptions about the evolution of immunity and suggest that fundamentally different antiviral strategies have emerged across the animal kingdom.

Raccontata daeurekalert.org