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VCP/p97 Mediated Bacteriolysis: A Ubiquitin-Powered Mechanical Arm of Cell-Autonomous Immunity

  • Sourav Ghosh,   
  • Anirban Banerjee *

Received: 02 Apr 2026 | Revised: 07 May 2026 | Accepted: 11 May 2026 | Published: 20 May 2026

Abstract

Intracellular pathogens that escape into the cytosol challenge classical immune defenses. Host cells counteract this threat through ubiquitin-mediated recognition and elimination. Recent work by Ghosh et al. highlights VCP/p97, a host AAA ATPase, as a cytosolic effector that translates ubiquitin recognition into mechanical disruption of bacterial integrity. In this perspective, we discuss a previously unrecognized strategy for broad-spectrum pathogen control by mechanical force generation, expanding on our current views on ubiquitin-mediated immunity.

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Ghosh, S.; Banerjee, A. VCP/p97 Mediated Bacteriolysis: A Ubiquitin-Powered Mechanical Arm of Cell-Autonomous Immunity. Ubiquitylation & Atg8ylation 2026, 1 (1), 4.
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