HSV Cheats the Executioner

In this issue of Cell Host & Microbe, Huang et al. (2015) and Guo et al. (2015), along with recent work by Wang et al. (2014), reveal that HSV ribonucleotide reductase has opposing activities in either inducing or preventing necroptosis, depending on the host species. This evolutionary twist underscores the importance of selective pressure in virus-host relationships. In this issue of Cell Host & Microbe, Huang et al. and Guo et al., along with recent work by Wang et al., reveal that HSV ribonucleotide reductase has opposing activities in either inducing or preventing necroptosis, depending on the host species. This evolutionary twist underscores the importance of selective pressure in virus-host relationships.