Figure 6. A model for eliciting phage tolerance response by uninfected bacteria.

Upon phage infection, bacteria (dashed‐line cells) generate a yet unidentified "danger signal" (red circles) that is received by uninfected neighboring cells. In turn, the latter cells activate SigX that induces the transcription of the dlt operon. The produced Dlt enzymes modulate the phage receptor WTA polymers to reduce phage binding, providing temporary protection against phage attack and limiting phage spread.