1
|
Maffei E, Woischnig AK, Burkolter MR, Heyer Y, Humolli D, Thürkauf N, Bock T, Schmidt A, Manfredi P, Egli A, Khanna N, Jenal U, Harms A. Phage Paride can kill dormant, antibiotic-tolerant cells of Pseudomonas aeruginosa by direct lytic replication. Nat Commun 2024; 15:175. [PMID: 38168031 PMCID: PMC10761892 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-44157-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Bacteriophages are ubiquitous viral predators that have primarily been studied using fast-growing laboratory cultures of their bacterial hosts. However, microbial life in nature is mostly in a slow- or non-growing, dormant state. Here, we show that diverse phages can infect deep-dormant bacteria and suspend their replication until the host resuscitates ("hibernation"). However, a newly isolated Pseudomonas aeruginosa phage, named Paride, can directly replicate and induce the lysis of deep-dormant hosts. While non-growing bacteria are notoriously tolerant to antibiotic drugs, the combination with Paride enables the carbapenem meropenem to eradicate deep-dormant cultures in vitro and to reduce a resilient bacterial infection of a tissue cage implant in mice. Our work might inspire new treatments for persistent bacterial infections and, more broadly, highlights two viral strategies to infect dormant bacteria (hibernation and direct replication) that will guide future studies on phage-host interactions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Enea Maffei
- Biozentrum, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, D-HEST, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Anne-Kathrin Woischnig
- Laboratory of Infection Biology, Department of Biomedicine, University and University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Marco R Burkolter
- Biozentrum, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, D-HEST, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Yannik Heyer
- Biozentrum, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Dorentina Humolli
- Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, D-HEST, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | | | - Thomas Bock
- Biozentrum, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | | | | | - Adrian Egli
- Division of Clinical Bacteriology and Mycology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Applied Microbiology Research, Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, University and University Hospital of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Nina Khanna
- Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, D-HEST, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Laboratory of Infection Biology, Department of Biomedicine, University and University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Urs Jenal
- Biozentrum, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Alexander Harms
- Biozentrum, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
- Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, D-HEST, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Abdelrahman F, Gangakhedkar R, Nair G, El-Didamony G, Askora A, Jain V, El-Shibiny A. Pseudomonas Phage ZCPS1 Endolysin as a Potential Therapeutic Agent. Viruses 2023; 15:v15020520. [PMID: 36851734 PMCID: PMC9961711 DOI: 10.3390/v15020520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2022] [Revised: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023] Open
Abstract
The challenge of antibiotic resistance has gained much attention in recent years due to the rapid emergence of resistant bacteria infecting humans and risking industries. Thus, alternatives to antibiotics are being actively searched for. In this regard, bacteriophages and their enzymes, such as endolysins, are a very attractive alternative. Endolysins are the lytic enzymes, which are produced during the late phase of the lytic bacteriophage replication cycle to target the bacterial cell walls for progeny release. Here, we cloned, expressed, and purified LysZC1 endolysin from Pseudomonas phage ZCPS1. The structural alignment, molecular dynamic simulation, and CD studies suggested LysZC1 to be majorly helical, which is highly similar to various phage-encoded lysozymes with glycoside hydrolase activity. Our endpoint turbidity reduction assay displayed the lytic activity against various Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogens. Although in synergism with EDTA, LysZC1 demonstrated significant activity against Gram-negative pathogens, it demonstrated the highest activity against Bacillus cereus. Moreover, LysZC1 was able to reduce the numbers of logarithmic-phase B. cereus by more than 2 log10 CFU/mL in 1 h and also acted on the stationary-phase culture. Remarkably, LysZC1 presented exceptional thermal stability, pH tolerance, and storage conditions, as it maintained the antibacterial activity against its host after nearly one year of storage at 4 °C and after being heated at temperatures as high as 100 °C for 10 min. Our data suggest that LysZC1 is a potential candidate as a therapeutic agent against bacterial infection and an antibacterial bio-control tool in food preservation technology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fatma Abdelrahman
- Center for Microbiology and Phage Therapy, Zewail City of Science and Technology, 6th of October City 12578, Egypt
| | - Rutuja Gangakhedkar
- Microbiology and Molecular Biology Laboratory, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Bhopal 462066, India
| | - Gokul Nair
- Microbiology and Molecular Biology Laboratory, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Bhopal 462066, India
| | - Gamal El-Didamony
- Department of Microbiology and Botany, Faculty of Science, Zagazig University, Zagazig 44519, Egypt
| | - Ahmed Askora
- Department of Microbiology and Botany, Faculty of Science, Zagazig University, Zagazig 44519, Egypt
| | - Vikas Jain
- Microbiology and Molecular Biology Laboratory, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Bhopal 462066, India
- Correspondence: (V.J.); (A.E.-S.); Tel.: +91-755-2691425 (V.J.); +20-1005662772 (A.E.-S.)
| | - Ayman El-Shibiny
- Center for Microbiology and Phage Therapy, Zewail City of Science and Technology, 6th of October City 12578, Egypt
- Faculty of Environmental Agricultural Sciences, Arish University, Arish 45511, Egypt
- Correspondence: (V.J.); (A.E.-S.); Tel.: +91-755-2691425 (V.J.); +20-1005662772 (A.E.-S.)
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Zaki BM, Fahmy NA, Aziz RK, Samir R, El-Shibiny A. Characterization and comprehensive genome analysis of novel bacteriophage, vB_Kpn_ZCKp20p, with lytic and anti-biofilm potential against clinical multidrug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1077995. [PMID: 36756618 PMCID: PMC9901506 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1077995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2022] [Accepted: 01/02/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction The rise of infections by antibiotic-resistant bacterial pathogens is alarming. Among these, Klebsiella pneumoniae is a leading cause of death by hospital-acquired infections, and its multidrug-resistant strains are flagged as a global threat to human health, which necessitates finding novel antibiotics or alternative therapies. One promising therapeutic alternative is the use of virulent bacteriophages, which specifically target bacteria and coevolve with them to overcome potential resistance. Here, we aimed to discover specific bacteriophages with therapeutic potential against multiresistant K. pneumoniae clinical isolates. Methods and Results Out of six bacteriophages that we isolated from urban and medical sewage, phage vB_Kpn_ZCKp20p had the broadest host range and was thus characterized in detail. Transmission electron microscopy suggests vB_Kpn_ZCKp20p to be a tailed phage of the siphoviral morphotype. In vitro evaluation indicated a high lytic efficiency (30 min latent period and burst size of ∼100 PFU/cell), and extended stability at temperatures up to 70°C and a wide range of (2-12) pH. Additionally, phage vB_Kpn_ZCKp20p possesses antibiofilm activity that was evaluated by the crystal violet assay and was not cytotoxic to human skin fibroblasts. The whole genome was sequenced and annotated, uncovering one tRNA gene and 33 genes encoding proteins with assigned functions out of 85 predicted genes. Furthermore, comparative genomics and phylogenetic analysis suggest that vB_Kpn_ZCKp20p most likely represents a new species, but belongs to the same genus as Klebsiella phages ZCKP8 and 6691. Comprehensive genomic and bioinformatics analyses substantiate the safety of the phage and its strictly lytic lifestyle. Conclusion Phage vB_Kpn_ZCKp20p is a novel phage with potential to be used against biofilm-forming K. pneumoniae and could be a promising source for antibacterial and antibiofilm products, which will be individually studied experimentally in future studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bishoy Maher Zaki
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, October University for Modern Sciences and Arts (MSA), 6th of October, Giza, Egypt,Center for Microbiology and Phage Therapy, Biomedical Sciences, Zewail City of Science and Technology, Giza, Egypt
| | - Nada A. Fahmy
- Center for Microbiology and Phage Therapy, Biomedical Sciences, Zewail City of Science and Technology, Giza, Egypt
| | - Ramy Karam Aziz
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt,Center for Genome and Microbiome Research, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt,Microbiology and Immunology Research Program, Children’s Cancer Hospital Egypt, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Reham Samir
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt,Center for Genome and Microbiome Research, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt,*Correspondence: Reham Samir, ; Ayman El-Shibiny,
| | - Ayman El-Shibiny
- Center for Microbiology and Phage Therapy, Biomedical Sciences, Zewail City of Science and Technology, Giza, Egypt,Faculty of Environmental Agricultural Sciences, Arish University, Arish, Egypt,*Correspondence: Reham Samir, ; Ayman El-Shibiny,
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Yamaki S, Yamazaki K, Kawai Y. Broad host range bacteriophage, EscoHU1, infecting Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Salmonella enterica: Characterization, comparative genomics, and applications in food safety. Int J Food Microbiol 2022; 372:109680. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2022.109680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Revised: 03/18/2022] [Accepted: 04/14/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
|
5
|
Novel PhoH-encoding vibriophages with lytic activity against environmental Vibrio strains. Arch Microbiol 2021; 203:5321-5331. [PMID: 34379161 DOI: 10.1007/s00203-021-02511-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2020] [Revised: 07/23/2021] [Accepted: 08/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Cholera is a devastating diarrheal disease that accounts for more than 10% of children's lives worldwide, but its treatment is hampered by a rise in antibiotic resistance. One promising alternative to antibiotic therapy is the use of bacteriophages to treat antibiotic-resistant cholera infections, and control Vibrio cholera in clinical cases and in the environment, respectively. Here, we report four novel, closely related environmental myoviruses, VP4, VP6, VP18, and VP24, which we isolated from two environmental toxigenic Vibrio cholerae strains from river Kuja and Usenge beach in Kenya. High-throughput sequencing followed by bioinformatics analysis indicated that the genomes of the four bacteriophages have closely related sequences, with sizes of 148,180 bp, 148,181 bp, 148,179 bp, and 148,179 bp, and a G + C content of 36.4%. The four genomes carry the phoH gene, which is overrepresented in marine cyanophages. The isolated phages displayed a lytic activity against 15 environmental, as well as one clinical, Vibrio cholerae strains. Thus, these novel lytic vibriophages represent potential biocontrol candidates for water decontamination against pathogenic Vibrio cholerae and ought to be considered for future studies of phage therapy.
Collapse
|
6
|
Maffei E, Shaidullina A, Burkolter M, Heyer Y, Estermann F, Druelle V, Sauer P, Willi L, Michaelis S, Hilbi H, Thaler DS, Harms A. Systematic exploration of Escherichia coli phage-host interactions with the BASEL phage collection. PLoS Biol 2021; 19:e3001424. [PMID: 34784345 PMCID: PMC8594841 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3001424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacteriophages, the viruses infecting bacteria, hold great potential for the treatment of multidrug-resistant bacterial infections and other applications due to their unparalleled diversity and recent breakthroughs in their genetic engineering. However, fundamental knowledge of the molecular mechanisms underlying phage-host interactions is mostly confined to a few traditional model systems and did not keep pace with the recent massive expansion of the field. The true potential of molecular biology encoded by these viruses has therefore remained largely untapped, and phages for therapy or other applications are often still selected empirically. We therefore sought to promote a systematic exploration of phage-host interactions by composing a well-assorted library of 68 newly isolated phages infecting the model organism Escherichia coli that we share with the community as the BASEL (BActeriophage SElection for your Laboratory) collection. This collection is largely representative of natural E. coli phage diversity and was intensively characterized phenotypically and genomically alongside 10 well-studied traditional model phages. We experimentally determined essential host receptors of all phages, quantified their sensitivity to 11 defense systems across different layers of bacterial immunity, and matched these results to the phages' host range across a panel of pathogenic enterobacterial strains. Clear patterns in the distribution of phage phenotypes and genomic features highlighted systematic differences in the potency of different immunity systems and suggested the molecular basis of receptor specificity in several phage groups. Our results also indicate strong trade-offs between fitness traits like broad host recognition and resistance to bacterial immunity that might drive the divergent adaptation of different phage groups to specific ecological niches. We envision that the BASEL collection will inspire future work exploring the biology of bacteriophages and their hosts by facilitating the discovery of underlying molecular mechanisms as the basis for an effective translation into biotechnology or therapeutic applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Enea Maffei
- Biozentrum, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | | | | | - Yannik Heyer
- Biozentrum, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | | | | | | | - Luc Willi
- Biozentrum, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Sarah Michaelis
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Hubert Hilbi
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - David S. Thaler
- Biozentrum, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Program for the Human Environment, Rockefeller University, New York City, New York, United States of America
| | | |
Collapse
|
7
|
Stanton CR, Rice DTF, Beer M, Batinovic S, Petrovski S. Isolation and Characterisation of the Bundooravirus Genus and Phylogenetic Investigation of the Salasmaviridae Bacteriophages. Viruses 2021; 13:1557. [PMID: 34452423 PMCID: PMC8402886 DOI: 10.3390/v13081557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2021] [Revised: 07/28/2021] [Accepted: 08/02/2021] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacillus is a highly diverse genus containing over 200 species that can be problematic in both industrial and medical settings. This is mainly attributed to Bacillus sp. being intrinsically resistant to an array of antimicrobial compounds, hence alternative treatment options are needed. In this study, two bacteriophages, PumA1 and PumA2 were isolated and characterized. Genome nucleotide analysis identified the two phages as novel at the DNA sequence level but contained proteins similar to phi29 and other related phages. Whole genome phylogenetic investigation of 34 phi29-like phages resulted in the formation of seven clusters that aligned with recent ICTV classifications. PumA1 and PumA2 share high genetic mosaicism and form a genus with another phage named WhyPhy, more recently isolated from the United States of America. The three phages within this cluster are the only candidates to infect B. pumilus. Sequence analysis of B. pumilus phage resistant mutants revealed that PumA1 and PumA2 require polymerized and peptidoglycan bound wall teichoic acid (WTA) for their infection. Bacteriophage classification is continuously evolving with the increasing phages' sequences in public databases. Understanding phage evolution by utilizing a combination of phylogenetic approaches provides invaluable information as phages become legitimate alternatives in both human health and industrial processes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cassandra R. Stanton
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy & Microbiology, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia; (C.R.S.); (D.T.F.R.); (S.B.)
| | - Daniel T. F. Rice
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy & Microbiology, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia; (C.R.S.); (D.T.F.R.); (S.B.)
| | - Michael Beer
- Department of Defence Science and Technology, Port Melbourne, VIC 3207, Australia;
| | - Steven Batinovic
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy & Microbiology, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia; (C.R.S.); (D.T.F.R.); (S.B.)
| | - Steve Petrovski
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy & Microbiology, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia; (C.R.S.); (D.T.F.R.); (S.B.)
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Alsaadi A, Beamud B, Easwaran M, Abdelrahman F, El-Shibiny A, Alghoribi MF, Domingo-Calap P. Learning From Mistakes: The Role of Phages in Pandemics. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:653107. [PMID: 33815346 PMCID: PMC8010138 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.653107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The misuse of antibiotics is leading to the emergence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria, and in the absence of available treatments, this has become a major global threat. In the middle of the recent severe acute respiratory coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic, which has challenged the whole world, the emergence of MDR bacteria is increasing due to prophylactic administration of antibiotics to intensive care unit patients to prevent secondary bacterial infections. This is just an example underscoring the need to seek alternative treatments against MDR bacteria. To this end, phage therapy has been proposed as a promising tool. However, further research in the field is mandatory to assure safety protocols and to develop appropriate regulations for its use in clinics. This requires investing more in such non-conventional or alternative therapeutic approaches, to develop new treatment regimens capable of reducing the emergence of MDR and preventing future global public health concerns that could lead to incalculable human and economic losses.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ahlam Alsaadi
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Beatriz Beamud
- Institute for Integrative Systems Biology, I2SysBio, Universitat de València-CSIC, Paterna, Spain
- FISABIO-Salud Pública, Generalitat Valenciana, Valencia, Spain
| | - Maheswaran Easwaran
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Sethu Institute of Technology, Rajapalayam, India
| | - Fatma Abdelrahman
- Center for Microbiology and Phage Therapy, Biomedical Sciences, Zewail City of Science and Technology, Giza, Egypt
| | - Ayman El-Shibiny
- Center for Microbiology and Phage Therapy, Biomedical Sciences, Zewail City of Science and Technology, Giza, Egypt
| | - Majed F. Alghoribi
- Infectious Diseases Research Department, King Abdullah International Medical Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Pilar Domingo-Calap
- Institute for Integrative Systems Biology, I2SysBio, Universitat de València-CSIC, Paterna, Spain
- Department of Genetics, Universitat de València, Paterna, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Friedersdorff JCA, Kingston-Smith AH, Pachebat JA, Cookson AR, Rooke D, Creevey CJ. The Isolation and Genome Sequencing of Five Novel Bacteriophages From the Rumen Active Against Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:1588. [PMID: 32760371 PMCID: PMC7372960 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.01588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2019] [Accepted: 06/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Although the prokaryotic communities of the rumen microbiome are being uncovered through genome sequencing, little is known about the resident viral populations. Whilst temperate phages can be predicted as integrated prophages when analyzing bacterial and archaeal genomes, the genetics underpinning lytic phages remain poorly characterized. To the five genomes of bacteriophages isolated from rumen-associated samples sequenced and analyzed previously, this study adds a further five novel genomes and predictions gleaned from them to further the understanding of the rumen phage population. Lytic bacteriophages isolated from fresh ovine and bovine fecal and rumen fluid samples were active against the predominant fibrolytic ruminal bacterium Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens. The double stranded DNA genomes were sequenced and reconstructed into single circular complete contigs. Based on sequence similarity and genome distances, the five phages represent four species from three separate genera, consisting of: (1) Butyrivibrio phages Arian and Bo-Finn; (2) Butyrivibrio phages Idris and Arawn; and (3) Butyrivibrio phage Ceridwen. They were predicted to all belong to the Siphoviridae family, based on evidence in the genomes such as size, the presence of the tail morphogenesis module, genes that share similarity to those in other siphovirus isolates and phylogenetic analysis using phage proteomes. Yet, phylogenomic analysis and sequence similarity of the entire phage genomes revealed that these five phages are unique and novel. These phages have only been observed undergoing the lytic lifecycle, but there is evidence in the genomes of phages Arawn and Idris for the potential to be temperate. However, there is no evidence in the genome of the bacterial host Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens of prophage genes or genes that share similarity with the phage genomes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jessica C A Friedersdorff
- Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS), Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth, United Kingdom.,Institute for Global Food Security (IGFS), Queen's University, Belfast, United Kingdom
| | - Alison H Kingston-Smith
- Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS), Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth, United Kingdom
| | - Justin A Pachebat
- Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS), Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth, United Kingdom
| | - Alan R Cookson
- Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS), Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth, United Kingdom
| | - David Rooke
- Dynamic Extractions Ltd., Tredegar, United Kingdom
| | - Christopher J Creevey
- Institute for Global Food Security (IGFS), Queen's University, Belfast, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Cubo MT, Alías-Villegas C, Balsanelli E, Mesa D, de Souza E, Espuny MR. Diversity of Sinorhizobium (Ensifer) meliloti Bacteriophages in the Rhizosphere of Medicago marina: Myoviruses, Filamentous and N4-Like Podovirus. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:22. [PMID: 32038600 PMCID: PMC6992544 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.00022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2019] [Accepted: 01/07/2020] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Using different Sinorhizobium meliloti strains as hosts, we isolated eight new virulent phages from the rhizosphere of the coastal legume Medicago marina. Half of the isolated phages showed a very narrow host range while the other half exhibited a wider host range within the strains tested. Electron microscopy studies showed that phages M_ort18, M_sf1.2, and M_sf3.33 belonged to the Myoviridae family with feature long, contractile tails and icosaedral head. Phages I_sf3.21 and I_sf3.10T appeared to have filamentous shape and produced turbid plaques, which is a characteristic of phages from the Inoviridae family. Phage P_ort11 is a member of the Podoviridae, with an icosahedral head and a short tail and was selected for further characterization and genome sequencing. P_ort11 contained linear, double-stranded DNA with a length of 75239 bp and 103 putative open reading frames. BLASTP analysis revealed strong similarities to Escherichia phage N4 and other N4-like phages. This is the first report of filamentous and N4-like phages that infect S. meliloti.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- María Teresa Cubo
- Departamento de Microbiología, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Sevilla, Seville, Spain
| | - Cynthia Alías-Villegas
- Departamento de Microbiología, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Sevilla, Seville, Spain
| | - Eduardo Balsanelli
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Curitiba, Brazil
| | - Dany Mesa
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Curitiba, Brazil
| | - Emanuel de Souza
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Curitiba, Brazil
| | - María Rosario Espuny
- Departamento de Microbiología, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Sevilla, Seville, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Dąbrowska K, Abedon ST. Pharmacologically Aware Phage Therapy: Pharmacodynamic and Pharmacokinetic Obstacles to Phage Antibacterial Action in Animal and Human Bodies. Microbiol Mol Biol Rev 2019; 83:e00012-19. [PMID: 31666296 PMCID: PMC6822990 DOI: 10.1128/mmbr.00012-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The use of viruses infecting bacteria (bacteriophages or phages) to treat bacterial infections has been ongoing clinically for approximately 100 years. Despite that long history, the growing international crisis of resistance to standard antibiotics, abundant anecdotal evidence of efficacy, and one successful modern clinical trial of efficacy, this phage therapy is not yet a mainstream approach in medicine. One explanation for why phage therapy has not been subject to more widespread implementation is that phage therapy research, both preclinical and clinical, can be insufficiently pharmacologically aware. Consequently, here we consider the pharmacological obstacles to phage therapy effectiveness, with phages in phage therapy explicitly being considered to serve as drug equivalents. The study of pharmacology has traditionally been differentiated into pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic aspects. We therefore separately consider the difficulties that phages as virions can have in traveling through body compartments toward reaching their target bacteria (pharmacokinetics) and the difficulties that phages can have in exerting antibacterial activity once they have reached those bacteria (pharmacodynamics). The latter difficulties, at least in part, are functions of phage host range and bacterial resistance to phages. Given the apparently low toxicity of phages and the minimal side effects of phage therapy as practiced, phage therapy should be successful so long as phages can reach the targeted bacteria in sufficiently high numbers, adsorb, and then kill those bacteria. Greater awareness of what obstacles to this success generally or specifically can exist, as documented in this review, should aid in the further development of phage therapy toward wider use.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Krystyna Dąbrowska
- Bacteriophage Laboratory, Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Stephen T Abedon
- Department of Microbiology, The Ohio State University, Mansfield, Ohio, USA
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Guo Y, Chen P, Lin Z, Wang T. Characterization of Two Pseudomonas aeruginosa Viruses vB_PaeM_SCUT-S1 and vB_PaeM_SCUT-S2. Viruses 2019; 11:v11040318. [PMID: 30939832 PMCID: PMC6521218 DOI: 10.3390/v11040318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2019] [Revised: 03/17/2019] [Accepted: 03/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The sophisticated antibiotic resistance mechanism of Pseudomonas aeruginosa has urged the development of alternative antibacterial strategies. Phage therapy has been proven successful for the treatment of multidrug-resistant infections. In this study, we reported two virulent P. aeruginosa phages, vB_PaeM_SCUT-S1 (S1) and vB_PaeM_SCUT-S2 (S2), which were characterized at morphological, genomic, and proteomic levels. Phages S1 and S2 were assigned to the Myoviridae family. The genome sequencing showed that the genome size of Phage S1 was 66,046 bp and that of Phage S2 was 94,434 bp. The phylogenetic tree indicated that the two phages were distantly related to each other and were classified in the genera Pbunavirus and Pakpunavirus respectively. Thirty-one proteins were identified for each phage by mass spectrometry and were used to substantiate the function of the predicted coding genes. The two phages inhibited the growth of P. aeruginosa strain PAO1 at low multiplicity of infection levels and had good performance both on preventing biofilm formation and eradicating preformed biofilms. They were also stable over a wide range of temperature and pH values, supporting their potential use in the treatment of P. aeruginosa infections.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yangyijun Guo
- School of Biology and Biological Engineering, South China University of Technology, 382 East Outer Loop Road, Higher Education Mega Centre, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510006, China.
| | - Ping Chen
- School of Biology and Biological Engineering, South China University of Technology, 382 East Outer Loop Road, Higher Education Mega Centre, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510006, China.
| | - Zhanglin Lin
- School of Biology and Biological Engineering, South China University of Technology, 382 East Outer Loop Road, Higher Education Mega Centre, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510006, China.
| | - Tingting Wang
- School of Biology and Biological Engineering, South China University of Technology, 382 East Outer Loop Road, Higher Education Mega Centre, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510006, China.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Hyman P. Phages for Phage Therapy: Isolation, Characterization, and Host Range Breadth. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2019; 12:E35. [PMID: 30862020 PMCID: PMC6469166 DOI: 10.3390/ph12010035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 235] [Impact Index Per Article: 47.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2018] [Revised: 02/20/2019] [Accepted: 03/04/2019] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
For a bacteriophage to be useful for phage therapy it must be both isolated from the environment and shown to have certain characteristics beyond just killing strains of the target bacterial pathogen. These include desirable characteristics such as a relatively broad host range and a lack of other characteristics such as carrying toxin genes and the ability to form a lysogen. While phages are commonly isolated first and subsequently characterized, it is possible to alter isolation procedures to bias the isolation toward phages with desirable characteristics. Some of these variations are regularly used by some groups while others have only been shown in a few publications. In this review I will describe (1) isolation procedures and variations that are designed to isolate phages with broader host ranges, (2) characterization procedures used to show that a phage may have utility in phage therapy, including some of the limits of such characterization, and (3) results of a survey and discussion with phage researchers in industry and academia on the practice of characterization of phages.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Paul Hyman
- Department of Biology/Toxicology, Ashland University, 401 College Ave., Ashland, OH 44805, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
The Sequence of Two Bacteriophages with Hypermodified Bases Reveals Novel Phage-Host Interactions. Viruses 2018; 10:v10050217. [PMID: 29695085 PMCID: PMC5977210 DOI: 10.3390/v10050217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2018] [Revised: 04/19/2018] [Accepted: 04/20/2018] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacteriophages SP-15 and ΦW-14 are members of the Myoviridae infecting Bacillus subtilis and Delftia (formerly Pseudomonas) acidovorans, respectively. What links them is that in both cases, approximately 50% of the thymine residues are replaced by hypermodified bases. The consequence of this is that the physico-chemical properties of the DNA are radically altered (melting temperature (Tm), buoyant density and susceptibility to restriction endonucleases). Using 454 pyrosequencing technology, we sequenced the genomes of both viruses. Phage ΦW-14 possesses a 157-kb genome (56.3% GC) specifying 236 proteins, while SP-15 is larger at 222 kb (38.6 mol % G + C) and encodes 318 proteins. In both cases, the phages can be considered genomic singletons since they do not possess BLASTn homologs. While no obvious genes were identified as being responsible for the modified base in ΦW-14, SP-15 contains a cluster of genes obviously involved in carbohydrate metabolism.
Collapse
|
15
|
Characterizing Phage Genomes for Therapeutic Applications. Viruses 2018; 10:v10040188. [PMID: 29642590 PMCID: PMC5923482 DOI: 10.3390/v10040188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2018] [Revised: 04/06/2018] [Accepted: 04/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Multi-drug resistance is increasing at alarming rates. The efficacy of phage therapy, treating bacterial infections with bacteriophages alone or in combination with traditional antibiotics, has been demonstrated in emergency cases in the United States and in other countries, however remains to be approved for wide-spread use in the US. One limiting factor is a lack of guidelines for assessing the genomic safety of phage candidates. We present the phage characterization workflow used by our team to generate data for submitting phages to the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) for authorized use. Essential analysis checkpoints and warnings are detailed for obtaining high-quality genomes, excluding undesirable candidates, rigorously assessing a phage genome for safety and evaluating sequencing contamination. This workflow has been developed in accordance with community standards for high-throughput sequencing of viral genomes as well as principles for ideal phages used for therapy. The feasibility and utility of the pipeline is demonstrated on two new phage genomes that meet all safety criteria. We propose these guidelines as a minimum standard for phages being submitted to the FDA for review as investigational new drug candidates.
Collapse
|