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Nakonieczna A, Topolska-Woś A, Łobocka M. New bacteriophage-derived lysins, LysJ and LysF, with the potential to control Bacillus anthracis. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2024; 108:76. [PMID: 38194144 PMCID: PMC10776502 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-023-12839-z] [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: 04/11/2023] [Revised: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2024]
Abstract
Bacillus anthracis is an etiological agent of anthrax, a severe zoonotic disease that can be transmitted to people and cause high mortalities. Bacteriophages and their lytic enzymes, endolysins, have potential therapeutic value in treating infections caused by this bacterium as alternatives or complements to antibiotic therapy. They can also be used to identify and detect B. anthracis. Endolysins of two B. anthracis Wbetavirus phages, J5a and F16Ba which were described by us recently, differ significantly from the best-known B. anthracis phage endolysin PlyG from Wbetavirus genus bacteriophage Gamma and a few other Wbetavirus genus phages. They are larger than PlyG (351 vs. 233 amino acid residues), contain a signal peptide at their N-termini, and, by prediction, have a different fold of cell binding domain suggesting different structural basis of cell epitope recognition. We purified in a soluble form the modified versions of these endolysins, designated by us LysJ and LysF, respectively, and depleted of signal peptides. Both modified endolysins could lyse the B. anthracis cell wall in zymogram assays. Their activity against the living cells of B. anthracis and other species of Bacillus genus was tested by spotting on the layers of bacteria in soft agar and by assessing the reduction of optical density of bacterial suspensions. Both methods proved the effectiveness of LysJ and LysF in killing the anthrax bacilli, although the results obtained by each method differed. Additionally, the lytic efficiency of both proteins was different, which apparently correlates with differences in their amino acid sequence. KEY POINTS: • LysJ and LysF are B. anthracis-targeting lysins differing from lysins studied so far • LysJ and LysF could be overproduced in E. coli in soluble and active forms • LysJ and LysF are active in killing cells of B. anthracis virulent strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandra Nakonieczna
- Military Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Biological Threats Identification and Countermeasure Center, 24-100, Puławy, Poland.
| | | | - Małgorzata Łobocka
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics of the Polish Academy of Sciences, 02-106, Warsaw, Poland
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Nuytten M, Leprince A, Goulet A, Mahillon J. Deciphering the adsorption machinery of Deep-Blue and Vp4, two myophages targeting members of the Bacillus cereus group. J Virol 2024:e0074524. [PMID: 39177355 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00745-24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2024] [Accepted: 07/11/2024] [Indexed: 08/24/2024] Open
Abstract
In tailed phages, the baseplate is the macromolecular structure located at the tail distal part, which is directly implicated in host recognition and cell wall penetration. In myophages (i.e., with contractile tails), the baseplate is complex and comprises a central puncturing device and baseplate wedges connecting the hub to the receptor-binding proteins (RBPs). In this work, we investigated the structures and functions of adsorption-associated tail proteins of Deep-Blue and Vp4, two Herelleviridae phages infecting members of the Bacillus cereus group. Their interest resides in their different host spectrum despite a high degree of similarity. Analysis of their tail module revealed that the gene order is similar to that of the Listeria phage A511. Among their tail proteins, Gp185 (Deep-Blue) and Gp112 (Vp4) had no structural homolog, but the C-terminal variable parts of these proteins were able to bind B. cereus strains, confirming their implication in the phage adsorption. Interestingly, Vp4 and Deep-Blue adsorption to their hosts was also shown to require polysaccharides, which are likely to be bound by the arsenal of carbohydrate-binding modules (CBMs) of these phages' baseplates, suggesting that the adsorption does not rely solely on the RBPs. In particular, the BW Gp119 (Vp4), harboring a CBM fold, was shown to effectively bind to bacterial cells. Finally, we also showed that the putative baseplate hub proteins (i.e., Deep-Blue Gp189 and Vp4 Gp110) have a bacteriolytic activity against B. cereus strains, which supports their role as ectolysins locally degrading the peptidoglycan to facilitate genome injection. IMPORTANCE The Bacillus cereus group comprises closely related species, including some with pathogenic potential (e.g., Bacillus anthracis and Bacillus cytotoxicus). Their toxins represent the most frequently reported cause of food poisoning outbreaks at the European level. Bacteriophage research is undergoing a remarkable renaissance for its potential in the biocontrol and detection of such pathogens. As the primary site of phage-bacteria interactions and a prerequisite for successful phage infection, adsorption is a crucial process that needs further investigation. The current knowledge about B. cereus phage adsorption is currently limited to siphoviruses and tectiviruses. Here, we present the first insights into the adsorption process of Herelleviridae Vp4 and Deep-Blue myophages preying on B. cereus hosts, highlighting the importance of polysaccharide moieties in this process and confirming the binding to the host surface of Deep-Blue Gp185 and Vp4 Gp112 receptor-binding proteins and Gp119 baseplate wedge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manon Nuytten
- Laboratory of Food and Environmental Microbiology, Earth and Life Institute, Université Catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain), Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
| | - Audrey Leprince
- Laboratory of Food and Environmental Microbiology, Earth and Life Institute, Université Catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain), Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
| | - Adeline Goulet
- Laboratoire d'Ingénierie des Systèmes Macromoléculaires (LISM), Institut de Microbiologie, Bioénergies et Biotechnologie (IM2B), CNRS and Aix-Marseille Université UMR7255, Marseille, France
| | - Jacques Mahillon
- Laboratory of Food and Environmental Microbiology, Earth and Life Institute, Université Catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain), Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
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Xi H, Ji Y, Fu Y, Chen C, Han W, Gu J. Biological characterization of the phage lysin AVPL and its efficiency against Aerococcus viridans-induced mastitis in a murine model. Appl Environ Microbiol 2024; 90:e0046124. [PMID: 39012099 PMCID: PMC11337802 DOI: 10.1128/aem.00461-24] [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: 03/12/2024] [Accepted: 06/19/2024] [Indexed: 07/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Aerococcus viridans (A. viridans) is an important opportunistic zoonotic pathogen that poses a potential threat to the animal husbandry industry, such as cow mastitis, due to the widespread development of multidrug-resistant strains. Phage lysins have emerged as a promising alternative antibiotic treatment strategy. However, no lysins have been reported to treat A. viridans infections. In this study, the critical active domain and key active sites of the first A. viridans phage lysin AVPL were revealed. AVPL consists of an N-terminal N-acetylmuramoyl-L-alanine amidase catalytic domain and a C-terminal binding domain comprising two conserved LysM. H40, N44, E52, W68, H147, T157, F60, F64, I77, N92, Q97, H159, V160, D161, and S42 were identified as key sites for maintaining the activity of the catalytic domain. The LysM motif plays a crucial role in binding AVPL to bacterial cell wall peptidoglycan. AVPL maintains stable activity in the temperature range of 4-45°C and pH range of 4-10, and its activity is independent of the presence of metal ions. In vitro, the bactericidal effect of AVPL showed efficient bactericidal activity in milk samples, with 2 µg/mL of AVPL reducing A. viridans by approximately 2 Log10 in 1 h. Furthermore, a single dose (25 µg) of lysin AVPL significantly reduces bacterial load (approximately 2 Log10) in the mammary gland of mice, improves mastitis pathology, and reduces the concentration of inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6) in mammary tissue. Overall, this work provides a novel alternative therapeutic drug for mastitis induced by multidrug-resistant A. viridans. IMPORTANCE A. viridans is a zoonotic pathogen known to cause various diseases, including mastitis in dairy cows. In recent years, there has been an increase in antibiotic-resistant or multidrug-resistant strains of this pathogen. Phage lysins are an effective approach to treating infections caused by multidrug-resistant strains. This study revealed the biological properties and key active sites of the first A. viridans phage lysin named AVPL. AVPL can effectively kill multidrug-resistant A. viridans in pasteurized whole milk. Importantly, 25 μg AVPL significantly alleviates the symptoms of mouse mastitis induced by A. viridans. Overall, our results demonstrate the potential of lysin AVPL as an antimicrobial agent for the treatment of mastitis caused by A. viridans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hengyu Xi
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Research of the Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonosis, and College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Yalu Ji
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Research of the Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonosis, and College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Yao Fu
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Research of the Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonosis, and College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Chong Chen
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Research of the Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonosis, and College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Wenyu Han
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Research of the Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonosis, and College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, China
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for the Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Jingmin Gu
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Research of the Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonosis, and College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, China
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for the Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
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Arora R, Nadar K, Bajpai U. Discovery and characterization of a novel LysinB from F2 sub-cluster mycobacteriophage RitSun. Sci Rep 2024; 14:18073. [PMID: 39103410 PMCID: PMC11300654 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-68636-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2024] [Accepted: 07/25/2024] [Indexed: 08/07/2024] Open
Abstract
The escalating antibiotic resistance in mycobacterial species poses a significant threat globally, necessitating an urgent need to find alternative solutions. Bacteriophage-derived endolysins, which facilitate phage progeny release by attacking bacterial cell walls, present promising antibacterial candidates due to their rapid lytic action, high specificity and low risk of resistance development. In mycobacteria, owing to the complex, hydrophobic cell wall, mycobacteriophages usually synthesize two endolysins: LysinA, which hydrolyzes peptidoglycan; LysinB, which delinks mycolic acid-containing outer membrane and arabinogalactan, releasing free mycolic acid. In this study, we conducted domain analysis and functional characterization of a novel LysinB from RitSun, an F2 sub-cluster mycobacteriophage from our phage collection. Several key properties of RitSun LysinB make it an important antimycobacterial agent: its ability to lyse Mycobacterium smegmatis from without, a higher than previously reported specific activity of 1.36 U/mg and its inhibitory effect on biofilm formation. Given the impermeable nature of the mycobacterial cell envelope, dissecting RitSun LysinB at the molecular level to identify its cell wall-destabilizing sequence could be utilized to engineer other native lysins as fusion proteins, broadening their activity spectrum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ritu Arora
- Department of Biomedical Science, Acharya Narendra Dev College, University of Delhi, Govindpuri, Kalkaji, New Delhi, 110019, India
| | - Kanika Nadar
- Department of Biomedical Science, Acharya Narendra Dev College, University of Delhi, Govindpuri, Kalkaji, New Delhi, 110019, India
| | - Urmi Bajpai
- Department of Biomedical Science, Acharya Narendra Dev College, University of Delhi, Govindpuri, Kalkaji, New Delhi, 110019, India.
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Wang Y, Wang X, Liu X, Lin B. Research Progress on Strategies for Improving the Enzyme Properties of Bacteriophage Endolysins. J Microbiol Biotechnol 2024; 34:1189-1196. [PMID: 38693045 PMCID: PMC11239441 DOI: 10.4014/jmb.2312.12050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2024] [Revised: 02/06/2024] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/03/2024]
Abstract
Bacterial resistance to commonly used antibiotics is one of the major challenges to be solved today. Bacteriophage endolysins (Lysins) have become a hot research topic as a new class of antibacterial agents. They have promising applications in bacterial infection prevention and control in multiple fields, such as livestock and poultry farming, food safety, clinical medicine and pathogen detection. However, many phage endolysins display low bactericidal activities, short half-life and narrow lytic spectrums. Therefore, some methods have been used to improve the enzyme properties (bactericidal activity, lysis spectrum, stability and targeting the substrate, etc) of bacteriophage endolysins, including deletion or addition of domains, DNA mutagenesis, chimerization of domains, fusion to the membrane-penetrating peptides, fusion with domains targeting outer membrane transport systems, encapsulation, the usage of outer membrane permeabilizers. In this review, research progress on the strategies for improving their enzyme properties are systematically presented, with a view to provide references for the development of lysins with excellent performances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yulu Wang
- Shunde Women and Children's Hospital, Guangdong Medical University, Foshan 528300, P.R. China
- Dongguan Key Laboratory of Public Health Laboratory Science, School of Public Health, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan 523808, P.R. China
| | - Xue Wang
- Dongguan Key Laboratory of Public Health Laboratory Science, School of Public Health, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan 523808, P.R. China
| | - Xin Liu
- Dongguan Key Laboratory of Public Health Laboratory Science, School of Public Health, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan 523808, P.R. China
| | - Bokun Lin
- Shunde Women and Children's Hospital, Guangdong Medical University, Foshan 528300, P.R. China
- Dongguan Key Laboratory of Public Health Laboratory Science, School of Public Health, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan 523808, P.R. China
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Krishnan M, Tham HY, Wan Nur Ismah WAK, Yusoff K, Song AAL. Effect of Domain Manipulation in the Staphylococcal Phage Endolysin, Endo88, on Lytic Efficiency and Host Range. Mol Biotechnol 2024:10.1007/s12033-024-01216-4. [PMID: 38904894 DOI: 10.1007/s12033-024-01216-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/22/2024]
Abstract
The bacteriophage endolysin Endo88 targeting Staphylococcus aureus PS88 consists of the CHAP and Amidase-2 enzymatic domains and one SH3b targeting domain. In this study, the effects of domain manipulations on Endo88 functionality were determined. Three truncated mutants of Endo88 (CHAP, CHAPAmidase and CHAPSH3) and two chimeras (CHAPAmidase-Cpl7Cpl7 and Endo88-Cpl7Cpl7) containing the Cpl7Cpl7 targeting domains of the streptococcal LambdaSa2-ECC endolysin were cloned in E. coli (pET28a), expressed, and then purified. Lytic efficiency and host range were assessed through plate lysis assays and turbidity reduction assays. Endo88 required all domains for maximum functionality, with activity detected against Staphylococcus aureus PS88 (host strain), S. aureus Mu50 (VISA), CoNS (Staphylococcus epidermidis and Staphylococcus hominis), and Enterococcus faecalis. The truncated constructs maintained the original host range but with reduced lytic efficiency. The Amidase-2 and SH3b domains are interdependent in maximizing functionality. The chimera constructs demonstrated reduced functionality, without activity against Streptococcus agalactiae in both assays. This study provides insights into domain function in a staphylococcal endolysin, which could enable the development of prospective engineered antimicrobials against multidrug-resistant pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melvina Krishnan
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Hong Yun Tham
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Wan Ahmad Kamil Wan Nur Ismah
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Khatijah Yusoff
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
- Malaysia Genome and Vaccine Institute, National Institutes of Biotechnology Malaysia, 43000, Kajang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Adelene Ai-Lian Song
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia.
- Institute of Bioscience, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia.
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Javid M, Shahverdi AR, Ghasemi A, Moosavi-Movahedi AA, Ebrahim-Habibi A, Sepehrizadeh Z. Decoding the Structure-Function Relationship of the Muramidase Domain in E. coli O157.H7 Bacteriophage Endolysin: A Potential Building Block for Chimeric Enzybiotics. Protein J 2024; 43:522-543. [PMID: 38662183 DOI: 10.1007/s10930-024-10195-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/23/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
Bacteriophage endolysins are potential alternatives to conventional antibiotics for treating multidrug-resistant gram-negative bacterial infections. However, their structure-function relationships are poorly understood, hindering their optimization and application. In this study, we focused on the individual functionality of the C-terminal muramidase domain of Gp127, a modular endolysin from E. coli O157:H7 bacteriophage PhaxI. This domain is responsible for the enzymatic activity, whereas the N-terminal domain binds to the bacterial cell wall. Through protein modeling, docking experiments, and molecular dynamics simulations, we investigated the activity, stability, and interactions of the isolated C-terminal domain with its ligand. We also assessed its expression, solubility, toxicity, and lytic activity using the experimental data. Our results revealed that the C-terminal domain exhibits high activity and toxicity when tested individually, and its expression is regulated in different hosts to prevent self-destruction. Furthermore, we validated the muralytic activity of the purified refolded protein by zymography and standardized assays. These findings challenge the need for the N-terminal binding domain to arrange the active site and adjust the gap between crucial residues for peptidoglycan cleavage. Our study shed light on the three-dimensional structure and functionality of muramidase endolysins, thereby enriching the existing knowledge pool and laying a foundation for accurate in silico modeling and the informed design of next-generation enzybiotic treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehri Javid
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Faculty of Pharmacy & Biotechnology Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ahmad Reza Shahverdi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Faculty of Pharmacy & Biotechnology Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Atiyeh Ghasemi
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Azadeh Ebrahim-Habibi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Faculty of Pharmacy & Biotechnology Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
- Biosensor Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Molecular-Cellular Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Zargham Sepehrizadeh
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Faculty of Pharmacy & Biotechnology Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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Vander Elst N. Bacteriophage-derived endolysins as innovative antimicrobials against bovine mastitis-causing streptococci and staphylococci: a state-of-the-art review. Acta Vet Scand 2024; 66:20. [PMID: 38769566 PMCID: PMC11106882 DOI: 10.1186/s13028-024-00740-2] [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: 01/06/2024] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Bacteriophage-encoded endolysins, peptidoglycan hydrolases breaking down the Gram-positive bacterial cell wall, represent a groundbreaking class of novel antimicrobials to revolutionize the veterinary medicine field. Wild-type endolysins exhibit a modular structure, consisting of enzymatically active and cell wall-binding domains, that enable genetic engineering strategies for the creation of chimeric fusion proteins or so-called 'engineered endolysins'. This biotechnological approach has yielded variants with modified lytic spectrums, introducing new possibilities in antimicrobial development. However, the discovery of highly similar endolysins by different groups has occasionally resulted in the assignment of different names that complicate a straightforward comparison. The aim of this review was to perform a homology-based comparison of the wild-type and engineered endolysins that have been characterized in the context of bovine mastitis-causing streptococci and staphylococci, grouping homologous endolysins with ≥ 95.0% protein sequence similarity. Literature is explored by homologous groups for the wild-type endolysins, followed by a chronological examination of engineered endolysins according to their year of publication. This review concludes that the wild-type endolysins encountered persistent challenges in raw milk and in vivo settings, causing a notable shift in the field towards the engineering of endolysins. Lead candidates that display robust lytic activity are nowadays selected from screening assays that are performed under these challenging conditions, often utilizing advanced high-throughput protein engineering methods. Overall, these recent advancements suggest that endolysins will integrate into the antibiotic arsenal over the next decade, thereby innovating antimicrobial treatment against bovine mastitis-causing streptococci and staphylococci.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niels Vander Elst
- Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Biomedicum 7D, Solnavägen 9, 17165, Solna, Stockholm, Sweden.
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Zhang Y, Wang R, Hu Q, Lv N, Zhang L, Yang Z, Zhou Y, Wang X. Characterization of Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteriophages and control hemorrhagic pneumonia on a mice model. Front Microbiol 2024; 15:1396774. [PMID: 38808279 PMCID: PMC11132263 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1396774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2024] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 05/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is one of the most common pathogens causing hemorrhagic pneumonia in Chinese forest musk deer. Multidrug-resistant P. aeruginosa is frequently isolated from the lungs of affected musk deer in Shaanxi Province, China. With the increasing bacterial drug resistance, commonly used antibiotics have shown limited efficacy against drug-resistant P. aeruginosa. Therefore, phages have garnered attention as a promising alternative to antibiotics among researchers. In this study, phages vB_PaeP_YL1 and vB_PaeP_YL2 (respectively referred to as YL1 and YL2) were isolated from mixed sewage samples from a farm. YL1 and YL2 exhibit an icosahedral head and a non-contractile short tail, belonging to the Podoviridae family. Identification results demonstrate good tolerance to low temperatures and pH levels, with minimal variation in potency within 30 min of UV irradiation. The MOI for both YL1 and YL2 was 0.1, and their one-step growth curve latent periods were 10 min and 20 min, respectively. Moreover, both single phage and phage cocktail effectively inhibited the growth of the host bacteria in vitro, with the phage cocktail showing superior inhibitory effects compared to the single phage. YL1 and YL2 possess double-stranded DNA genomes, with YL1 having a genome size of 72,187 bp and a total G + C content of 55.02%, while YL2 has a genome size of 72,060 bp and a total G + C content of 54.98%. YL1 and YL2 are predicted to have 93 and 92 open reading frames (ORFs), respectively, and no ORFs related to drug resistance or lysogeny were found in both phages. Genome annotation and phylogenetic analysis revealed that YL1 is closely related to vB_PaeP_FBPa1 (ON857943), while YL2 is closely related to vB_PaeP_FBPa1 (ON857943) and Phage26 (NC041907). In a mouse model of hemorrhagic pneumonia, phage cocktail treatment showed better control of the disease and significantly reduced lung bacterial load compared to single phage treatment. Therefore, YL1 and YL2 have the potential for the prevention and treatment of multidrug-resistant P. aeruginosa infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanjie Zhang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang, China
| | - Ruiqing Wang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang, China
| | - Qingxia Hu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang, China
| | - Ni Lv
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang, China
| | - Likun Zhang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang, China
| | - Zengqi Yang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang, China
| | - Yefei Zhou
- Nanjing Xiao Zhuang University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xinglong Wang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang, China
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Lim J, Myung H, Lim D, Song M. Antimicrobial peptide thanatin fused endolysin PA90 (Tha-PA90) for the control of Acinetobacter baumannii infection in mouse model. J Biomed Sci 2024; 31:36. [PMID: 38622637 PMCID: PMC11020296 DOI: 10.1186/s12929-024-01027-4] [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: 12/30/2023] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/17/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study addresses the urgent need for infection control agents driven by the rise of drug-resistant pathogens such as Acinetobacter baumannii. Our primary aim was to develop and assess a novel endolysin, Tha-PA90, designed to combat these challenges. METHODS Tha-PA90 incorporates an antimicrobial peptide (AMP) called thanatin at its N-terminus, enhancing bacterial outer membrane permeability and reducing host immune responses. PA90 was selected as the endolysin component. The antibacterial activity of the purified Tha-PA90 was evaluated using an in vitro colony-forming unit (CFU) reduction assay and a membrane permeability test. A549 cells were utilized to measure the penetration into the cytosol and the cytotoxicity of Tha-PA90. Finally, infection control was monitored in A. baumannii infected mice following the intraperitoneal administration of Tha-PA90. RESULTS Tha-PA90 demonstrated remarkable in vitro efficacy, completely eradicating A. baumannii strains, even drug-resistant variants, at a low concentration of 0.5 μM. Notably, it outperformed thanatin, achieving only a < 3-log reduction at 4 μM. Tha-PA90 exhibited 2-3 times higher membrane permeability than a PA90 and thanatin mixture or PA90 alone. Tha-PA90 was found within A549 cells' cytosol with no discernible cytotoxic effects. Furthermore, Tha-PA90 administration extended the lifespan of A. baumannii-infected mice, reducing bacterial loads in major organs by up to 3 logs. Additionally, it decreased proinflammatory cytokine levels (TNF-α and IL-6), reducing the risk of sepsis from rapid bacterial lysis. Our findings indicate that Tha-PA90 is a promising solution for combating drug-resistant A. baumannii. Its enhanced efficacy, low cytotoxicity, and reduction of proinflammatory responses render it a potential candidate for infection control. CONCLUSIONS This study underscores the significance of engineered endolysins in addressing the pressing challenge of drug-resistant pathogens and offers insights into improved infection management strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeonghyun Lim
- Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, Yongin, 17035, Republic of Korea
| | - Heejoon Myung
- Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, Yongin, 17035, Republic of Korea
- LyseNTech Co., Ltd., Seongnam-Si, 13486, Republic of Korea
| | - Daejin Lim
- Division of Biomedical Convergence, College of Biomedical Science, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, 24341, Republic of Korea.
| | - Miryoung Song
- Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, Yongin, 17035, Republic of Korea.
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11
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Araújo D, Silva AR, Fernandes R, Serra P, Barros MM, Campos AM, Oliveira R, Silva S, Almeida C, Castro J. Emerging Approaches for Mitigating Biofilm-Formation-Associated Infections in Farm, Wild, and Companion Animals. Pathogens 2024; 13:320. [PMID: 38668275 PMCID: PMC11054384 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens13040320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2024] [Revised: 04/05/2024] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024] Open
Abstract
The importance of addressing the problem of biofilms in farm, wild, and companion animals lies in their pervasive impact on animal health and welfare. Biofilms, as resilient communities of microorganisms, pose a persistent challenge in causing infections and complicating treatment strategies. Recognizing and understanding the importance of mitigating biofilm formation is critical to ensuring the welfare of animals in a variety of settings, from farms to the wild and companion animals. Effectively addressing this issue not only improves the overall health of individual animals, but also contributes to the broader goals of sustainable agriculture, wildlife conservation, and responsible pet ownership. This review examines the current understanding of biofilm formation in animal diseases and elucidates the complex processes involved. Recognizing the limitations of traditional antibiotic treatments, mechanisms of resistance associated with biofilms are explored. The focus is on alternative therapeutic strategies to control biofilm, with illuminating case studies providing valuable context and practical insights. In conclusion, the review highlights the importance of exploring emerging approaches to mitigate biofilm formation in animals. It consolidates existing knowledge, highlights gaps in understanding, and encourages further research to address this critical facet of animal health. The comprehensive perspective provided by this review serves as a foundation for future investigations and interventions to improve the management of biofilm-associated infections in diverse animal populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Araújo
- INIAV—National Institute for Agrarian and Veterinarian Research, Rua dos Lagidos, 4485-655 Vila do Conde, Portugal; (A.R.S.); (R.F.); (P.S.); (M.M.B.); (A.M.C.); (R.O.); (S.S.); (C.A.)
- CEB—Centre of Biological Engineering Campus de Gualtar, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
- LABBELS—Associate Laboratory, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
| | - Ana Rita Silva
- INIAV—National Institute for Agrarian and Veterinarian Research, Rua dos Lagidos, 4485-655 Vila do Conde, Portugal; (A.R.S.); (R.F.); (P.S.); (M.M.B.); (A.M.C.); (R.O.); (S.S.); (C.A.)
| | - Rúben Fernandes
- INIAV—National Institute for Agrarian and Veterinarian Research, Rua dos Lagidos, 4485-655 Vila do Conde, Portugal; (A.R.S.); (R.F.); (P.S.); (M.M.B.); (A.M.C.); (R.O.); (S.S.); (C.A.)
| | - Patrícia Serra
- INIAV—National Institute for Agrarian and Veterinarian Research, Rua dos Lagidos, 4485-655 Vila do Conde, Portugal; (A.R.S.); (R.F.); (P.S.); (M.M.B.); (A.M.C.); (R.O.); (S.S.); (C.A.)
| | - Maria Margarida Barros
- INIAV—National Institute for Agrarian and Veterinarian Research, Rua dos Lagidos, 4485-655 Vila do Conde, Portugal; (A.R.S.); (R.F.); (P.S.); (M.M.B.); (A.M.C.); (R.O.); (S.S.); (C.A.)
- CECAV—Veterinary and Animal Research Centre, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
| | - Ana Maria Campos
- INIAV—National Institute for Agrarian and Veterinarian Research, Rua dos Lagidos, 4485-655 Vila do Conde, Portugal; (A.R.S.); (R.F.); (P.S.); (M.M.B.); (A.M.C.); (R.O.); (S.S.); (C.A.)
| | - Ricardo Oliveira
- INIAV—National Institute for Agrarian and Veterinarian Research, Rua dos Lagidos, 4485-655 Vila do Conde, Portugal; (A.R.S.); (R.F.); (P.S.); (M.M.B.); (A.M.C.); (R.O.); (S.S.); (C.A.)
- LEPABE—Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
- AliCE—Associate Laboratory in Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
| | - Sónia Silva
- INIAV—National Institute for Agrarian and Veterinarian Research, Rua dos Lagidos, 4485-655 Vila do Conde, Portugal; (A.R.S.); (R.F.); (P.S.); (M.M.B.); (A.M.C.); (R.O.); (S.S.); (C.A.)
- CEB—Centre of Biological Engineering Campus de Gualtar, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
- LABBELS—Associate Laboratory, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
| | - Carina Almeida
- INIAV—National Institute for Agrarian and Veterinarian Research, Rua dos Lagidos, 4485-655 Vila do Conde, Portugal; (A.R.S.); (R.F.); (P.S.); (M.M.B.); (A.M.C.); (R.O.); (S.S.); (C.A.)
- CEB—Centre of Biological Engineering Campus de Gualtar, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
- LEPABE—Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
- AliCE—Associate Laboratory in Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
| | - Joana Castro
- INIAV—National Institute for Agrarian and Veterinarian Research, Rua dos Lagidos, 4485-655 Vila do Conde, Portugal; (A.R.S.); (R.F.); (P.S.); (M.M.B.); (A.M.C.); (R.O.); (S.S.); (C.A.)
- CEB—Centre of Biological Engineering Campus de Gualtar, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
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12
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Alreja AB, Appel AE, Zhu JC, Riley SP, Gonzalez-Juarbe N, Nelson DC. SP-CHAP, an endolysin with enhanced activity against biofilm pneumococci and nasopharyngeal colonization. mBio 2024; 15:e0006924. [PMID: 38470268 PMCID: PMC11005408 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.00069-24] [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: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Streptococcus pneumoniae (Spn), a Gram-positive bacterium, is responsible for causing a wide variety of invasive infections. The emergence of multi-drug antibiotic resistance has prompted the search for antimicrobial alternatives. Phage-derived peptidoglycan hydrolases, known as endolysins, are an attractive alternative. In this study, an endolysin active against Spn, designated SP-CHAP, was cloned, produced, purified, biochemically characterized, and evaluated for its antimicrobial properties. Cysteine, histidine-dependent amidohydrolase/peptidase (CHAP) domains are widely represented in bacteriophage endolysins but have never previously been reported for pneumococcal endolysins. Here, we characterize the first pneumococcal endolysin with a CHAP catalytic domain. SP-CHAP was antimicrobial against all Spn serovars tested, including capsular and capsule-free pneumococci, and it was found to be more active than the most widely studied pneumococcal endolysin, Cpl-1, while not affecting various oral or nasal commensal organisms tested. SP-CHAP was also effective in eradicating Spn biofilms at concentrations as low as 1.56 µg/mL. In addition, a Spn mouse nasopharyngeal colonization model was employed, which showed that SP-CHAP caused a significant reduction in Spn colony-forming units, even more than Cpl-1. These results indicate that SP-CHAP may represent a promising alternative to combating Spn infections. IMPORTANCE Considering the high rates of pneumococcal resistance reported for several antibiotics, alternatives are urgently needed. In the present study, we report a Streptococcus pneumoniae-targeting endolysin with even greater activity than Cpl-1, the most characterized pneumococcal endolysin to date. We have employed a combination of biochemical and microbiological assays to assess the stability and lytic potential of SP-CHAP and demonstrate its efficacy on pneumococcal biofilms in vitro and in an in vivo mouse model of colonization. Our findings highlight the therapeutic potential of SP-CHAP as an antibiotic alternative to treat Streptococcus pneumoniae infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adit B. Alreja
- Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, University of Maryland, Rockville, Maryland, USA
| | - Amanda E. Appel
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Genomic Medicine, J. Craig Venter Institute, Rockville, Maryland, USA
| | - Jinyi C. Zhu
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA
| | - Sean P. Riley
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA
| | - Norberto Gonzalez-Juarbe
- Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, University of Maryland, Rockville, Maryland, USA
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Genomic Medicine, J. Craig Venter Institute, Rockville, Maryland, USA
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA
| | - Daniel C. Nelson
- Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, University of Maryland, Rockville, Maryland, USA
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA
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13
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Liu B, Chang Z, Li Z, Liu R, Liu X. Prediction of key amino acids of Salmonella phage endolysin LysST-3 and detection of its mutants' activity. Arch Microbiol 2024; 206:151. [PMID: 38467842 DOI: 10.1007/s00203-024-03915-7] [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: 01/08/2024] [Revised: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024]
Abstract
Salmonella Typhimurium, a zoonotic pathogen, causes systemic and localized infection. The emergence of drug-resistant S. Typhimurium has increased; treating bacterial infections remains challenging. Phage endolysins derived from phages have a broader spectrum of bacteriolysis and better bacteriolytic activity than phages, and are less likely to induce drug resistance than antibiotics. LysST-3, the endolysin of Salmonella phage ST-3, was chosen in our study for its high lytic activity, broad cleavage spectrum, excellent bioactivity, and moderate safety profile. LysST-3 is a promising antimicrobial agent for inhibiting the development of drug resistance in Salmonella. The aim of this study is to investigate the molecular characteristics of LysST-3 through the prediction of key amino acid sites of LysST-3 and detection of its mutants' activity. We investigated its lytic effect on Salmonella and identified its key amino acid sites of interaction with substrate. LysST-3 may be a Ca2+, Mg2+ - dependent metalloenzyme. Its concave structure of the bottom "gripper" was found to be an important part of its amino acid active site. We identified its key sites (29P, 30T, 86D, 88 L, and 89 V) for substrate binding and activity using amino acid-targeted mutagenesis. Alterations in these sites did not affect protein secondary structure, but led to a significant reduction in the cleavage activity of the mutant proteins. Our study provides a basis for phage endolysin modification to target drug-resistant bacteria. Identifying the key amino acid site of the endolysin LysST-3 provides theoretical support for the functional modification of the endolysin and the development of subsequent effective therapeutic solutions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bingxin Liu
- College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Academy IV, Yanqihu Campus, Beijing, 101314, China.
| | - Zhankun Chang
- College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Academy IV, Yanqihu Campus, Beijing, 101314, China
| | - Zong Li
- College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Academy IV, Yanqihu Campus, Beijing, 101314, China
| | - Ruyin Liu
- College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Academy IV, Yanqihu Campus, Beijing, 101314, China
| | - Xinchun Liu
- College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Academy IV, Yanqihu Campus, Beijing, 101314, China.
- Binzhou Institute of Technology, Building 9, Zhonghai Hotel, West of Huanghe 8th Road, Bincheng District, Binzhou, 256600, China.
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14
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Roehrig C, Huemer M, Lorgé D, Arn F, Heinrich N, Selvakumar L, Gasser L, Hauswirth P, Chang CC, Schweizer TA, Eichenseher F, Lehmann S, Zinkernagel AS, Schmelcher M. MEndoB, a chimeric lysin featuring a novel domain architecture and superior activity for the treatment of staphylococcal infections. mBio 2024; 15:e0254023. [PMID: 38275913 PMCID: PMC10865858 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.02540-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Bacterial infections are a growing global healthcare concern, as an estimated annual 4.95 million deaths are associated with antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus is one of the deadliest pathogens and a high-priority pathogen according to the World Health Organization. Peptidoglycan hydrolases (PGHs) of phage origin have been postulated as a new class of antimicrobials for the treatment of bacterial infections, with a novel mechanism of action and no known resistances. The modular architecture of PGHs permits the creation of chimeric PGH libraries. In this study, the chimeric enzyme MEndoB was selected from a library of staphylococcal PGHs based on its rapid and sustained activity against staphylococci in human serum. The benefit of the presented screening approach was illustrated by the superiority of MEndoB in a head-to-head comparison with other PGHs intended for use against staphylococcal bacteremia. MEndoB displayed synergy with antibiotics and rapid killing in human whole blood with complete inhibition of re-growth over 24 h at low doses. Successful treatment of S. aureus-infected zebrafish larvae with MEndoB provided evidence for its in vivo effectiveness. This was further confirmed in a lethal systemic mouse infection model in which MEndoB significantly reduced S. aureus loads and tumor necrosis factor alpha levels in blood in a dose-dependent manner, which led to increased survival of the animals. Thus, the thorough lead candidate selection of MEndoB resulted in an outstanding second-generation PGH with in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo results supporting further development.IMPORTANCEOne of the most pressing challenges of our era is the rising occurrence of bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics. Staphylococci are prominent pathogens in humans, which have developed multiple strategies to evade the effects of antibiotics. Infections caused by these bacteria have resulted in a high burden on the health care system and a significant loss of lives. In this study, we have successfully engineered lytic enzymes that exhibit an extraordinary ability to eradicate staphylococci. Our findings substantiate the importance of meticulous lead candidate selection to identify therapeutically promising peptidoglycan hydrolases with unprecedented activity. Hence, they offer a promising new avenue for treating staphylococcal infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Roehrig
- Micreos Pharmaceuticals AG, Baar, Zug, Switzerland
- Micreos GmbH, Wädenswil, Zurich, Switzerland
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Lynn Gasser
- Institute of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW), Wädenswil, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Patrick Hauswirth
- Institute of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW), Wädenswil, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Chun-Chi Chang
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Tiziano A. Schweizer
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | | | - Steffi Lehmann
- Institute of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW), Wädenswil, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Annelies S. Zinkernagel
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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15
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Marchianò V, Duarte AC, Agún S, Luque S, Marcet I, Fernández L, Matos M, Blanco MDC, García P, Gutiérrez G. Phage Lytic Protein CHAPSH3b Encapsulated in Niosomes and Gelatine Films. Microorganisms 2024; 12:119. [PMID: 38257944 PMCID: PMC10819965 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12010119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2023] [Revised: 01/03/2024] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has emerged as a global health challenge, sparking worldwide interest in exploring the antimicrobial potential of natural compounds as an alternative to conventional antibiotics. In recent years, one area of focus has been the utilization of bacteriophages and their derivative proteins. Specifically, phage lytic proteins, or endolysins, are specialized enzymes that induce bacterial cell lysis and can be efficiently produced and purified following overexpression in bacteria. Nonetheless, a significant limitation of these proteins is their vulnerability to certain environmental conditions, which may impair their effectiveness. Encapsulating endolysins in vesicles could mitigate this issue by providing added protection to the proteins, enabling controlled release, and enhancing their stability, particularly at temperatures around 4 °C. In this work, the chimeric lytic protein CHAPSH3b was encapsulated within non-ionic surfactant-based vesicles (niosomes) created using the thin film hydrating method (TFH). These protein-loaded niosomes were then characterized, revealing sizes in the range of 30-80 nm, zeta potentials between 30 and 50 mV, and an encapsulation efficiency (EE) of 50-60%. Additionally, with the objective of exploring their potential application in the food industry, these endolysin-loaded niosomes were incorporated into gelatine films. This was carried out to evaluate their stability and antimicrobial efficacy against Staphylococcus aureus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Verdiana Marchianò
- Department of Physical and Analytical Chemistry, University of Oviedo, Julián Clavería 8, 33006 Oviedo, Spain (M.d.C.B.)
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Oviedo, Julián Clavería 8, 33006 Oviedo, Spain; (S.L.); (I.M.); (M.M.)
| | - Ana Catarina Duarte
- Instituto de Productos Lácteos de Asturias (IPLA-CSIC), Paseo Río Linares s/n., 33300 Villaviciosa, Spain; (A.C.D.); (S.A.); (L.F.)
- DairySafe Group, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA), 33011 Oviedo, Spain
| | - Seila Agún
- Instituto de Productos Lácteos de Asturias (IPLA-CSIC), Paseo Río Linares s/n., 33300 Villaviciosa, Spain; (A.C.D.); (S.A.); (L.F.)
- DairySafe Group, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA), 33011 Oviedo, Spain
| | - Susana Luque
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Oviedo, Julián Clavería 8, 33006 Oviedo, Spain; (S.L.); (I.M.); (M.M.)
| | - Ismael Marcet
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Oviedo, Julián Clavería 8, 33006 Oviedo, Spain; (S.L.); (I.M.); (M.M.)
| | - Lucía Fernández
- Instituto de Productos Lácteos de Asturias (IPLA-CSIC), Paseo Río Linares s/n., 33300 Villaviciosa, Spain; (A.C.D.); (S.A.); (L.F.)
- DairySafe Group, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA), 33011 Oviedo, Spain
| | - María Matos
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Oviedo, Julián Clavería 8, 33006 Oviedo, Spain; (S.L.); (I.M.); (M.M.)
- Instituto Universitario de Biotecnología de Asturias, University of Oviedo, 33006 Oviedo, Spain
| | - Mª del Carmen Blanco
- Department of Physical and Analytical Chemistry, University of Oviedo, Julián Clavería 8, 33006 Oviedo, Spain (M.d.C.B.)
- Instituto Universitario de Biotecnología de Asturias, University of Oviedo, 33006 Oviedo, Spain
| | - Pilar García
- Instituto de Productos Lácteos de Asturias (IPLA-CSIC), Paseo Río Linares s/n., 33300 Villaviciosa, Spain; (A.C.D.); (S.A.); (L.F.)
- DairySafe Group, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA), 33011 Oviedo, Spain
| | - Gemma Gutiérrez
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Oviedo, Julián Clavería 8, 33006 Oviedo, Spain; (S.L.); (I.M.); (M.M.)
- Instituto Universitario de Biotecnología de Asturias, University of Oviedo, 33006 Oviedo, Spain
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16
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Hassim A, Lekota KE. Isolation of Bacteriophages from Soil Samples in a Poorly Equipped Field Laboratory in Kruger National Park. Methods Mol Biol 2024; 2738:91-103. [PMID: 37966593 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3549-0_5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2023]
Abstract
Bacteriophages are viruses that infect bacteria. Bacteriophages are ubiquitous and are the most abundant organisms on the planet. Despite this, very little is known about the influence and effect of bacteriophages within terrestrial environments. Additionally, the natural soil microbiome profiles remain largely unexplored. Here we describe protocols that can be used, in field or rural laboratories containing only basic equipment, to make bacteriophage isolation more accessible and to facilitate such research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayesha Hassim
- Department of Veterinary Tropical Disease, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Kgaugelo Edward Lekota
- Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, Microbiology, North West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa
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17
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Viglasky J, Piknova M, Pristas P. Gene and domain shuffling in lytic cassettes of Enterococcus spp. bacteriophages. 3 Biotech 2023; 13:388. [PMID: 38023582 PMCID: PMC10630273 DOI: 10.1007/s13205-023-03775-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The genomes of Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium bacteriophages were analysed for gene shuffling in the lytic cassettes of bacteriophages infecting. It was found that enterococcal bacteriophages could be classified into well-defined groups based on the size of their genomes and each size group had its own conserved gene composition of lytic cassettes. Enterococcal bacteriophages use a relatively broad spectrum of holins and endolysins with variable cell-wall binding (CWB) and catalytic domains, and most of them utilise a lytic cassette with more than two genes. Enterococcal bacteriophages most commonly use endolysins with amidase catalytic domains and the CWB domain SH3_5. Some bacteriophages possess in their lytic cassette a holin-like gene with the XhlA domain protein, characteristic of hemolysin. Regardless of the shuffling of genes encoding holins and endolysins in lytic modules, a novel example of CWB domain shuffling within enterococcal endolysins was identified. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13205-023-03775-w.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jakub Viglasky
- Institute of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Science, Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice, Srobarova 2, 041 54 Košice, Slovakia
- Laboratory of Biomedical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy in Košice, 041 81 Košice, Slovakia
| | - Maria Piknova
- Institute of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Science, Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice, Srobarova 2, 041 54 Košice, Slovakia
| | - Peter Pristas
- Institute of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Science, Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice, Srobarova 2, 041 54 Košice, Slovakia
- Institute of Animal Physiology, Centre of Biosciences, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Soltesovej 4-6, 040 01 Kosice, Slovakia
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18
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Khan FM, Chen JH, Zhang R, Liu B. A comprehensive review of the applications of bacteriophage-derived endolysins for foodborne bacterial pathogens and food safety: recent advances, challenges, and future perspective. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1259210. [PMID: 37869651 PMCID: PMC10588457 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1259210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Foodborne diseases are caused by food contaminated by pathogenic bacteria such as Escherichia coli, Salmonella, Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes, Campylobacter, and Clostridium, a critical threat to human health. As a novel antibacterial agent against foodborne pathogens, endolysins are peptidoglycan hydrolases encoded by bacteriophages that lyse bacterial cells by targeting their cell wall, notably in Gram-positive bacteria due to their naturally exposed peptidoglycan layer. These lytic enzymes have gained scientists' interest in recent years due to their selectivity, mode of action, engineering potential, and lack of resistance mechanisms. The use of endolysins for food safety has undergone significant improvements, which are summarized and discussed in this review. Endolysins can remove bacterial biofilms of foodborne pathogens and their cell wall-binding domain can be employed as a tool for quick detection of foodborne pathogens. We explained the applications of endolysin for eliminating pathogenic bacteria in livestock and various food matrices, as well as the limitations and challenges in use as a dietary supplement. We also highlight the novel techniques of the development of engineering endolysin for targeting Gram-negative bacterial pathogens. In conclusion, endolysin is safe and effective against foodborne pathogens and has no adverse effect on human cells and beneficial microbiota. As a result, endolysin could be employed as a functional bio-preservative agent to improve food stability and safety and maintain the natural taste of food quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fazal Mehmood Khan
- College of Civil and Transportation Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
- Institute for Advanced Study, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
- Institute for Innovative Development of Food Industry, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jie-Hua Chen
- Institute for Advanced Study, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
- Institute for Innovative Development of Food Industry, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Rui Zhang
- Institute for Advanced Study, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Bin Liu
- Institute for Advanced Study, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
- Institute for Innovative Development of Food Industry, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
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19
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Abdurahman MA, Durukan İ, Dinçer T, Pektaş S, Karataş E, Kiliç AO. Staphylococcus aureus Bacteriophage 52 Endolysin Exhibits Anti-Biofilm and Broad Antibacterial Activity Against Gram-Positive Bacteria. Protein J 2023; 42:596-606. [PMID: 37634214 DOI: 10.1007/s10930-023-10145-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023]
Abstract
Bacteriophage endolysins have been shown to hold great promise as new antibacterial agents for animal and human health in food preservation. In the present study, endolysin from Staphylococcus aureus subsp. aureus ATCC 27692-B1 bacteriophage 52 (LysSA52) was cloned, expressed, and characterized for its antimicrobial properties. Following DNA extraction from bacteriophage 52, a 1446-bp DNA fragment containing the endolysin gene (lysSA52) was obtained by PCR amplification and cloned into pET SUMO expression vector. The positive clone was validated by sequencing and open-reading frame analysis. The LysSA52 sequence shared high homology with staphylococcal phage endolysins of the SA12, SA13, and DSW2 phages and others. The cloned lysSA52 gene encoding 481 amino acids endolysin was expressed in Escherichia coli BL21 with a calculated molecular mass of 66 kDa (LysSA52). This recombinant endolysin LysSA52 exhibited lytic activity against 8 of 10 Gram-positive bacteria via agar spot-on lawn antimicrobial assay, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus haemolyticus, Streptococcus pneumonia, Streptococcus pyogenes, Enterococcus faecium, Enterococcus faecalis, and Bacillus atrophaeus. In addition, the 0.50 mg/mL, LysSA52 endolysins reduced about 60% of the biofilms of S. aureus and S. epidermidis established on a microtiter plate in 12 h treatment. The data from this study indicate that LysSA52 endolysin could be used as an antibacterial protein to prevent and treat infections caused by staphylococci and several other Gram-positive pathogenic bacteria irrespective of their antibiotic resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mujib Abdulkadir Abdurahman
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Karadeniz Technical University, Trabzon, 61080, Turkey
- Department of Microbial, Cellular, and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Natural Science, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - İnci Durukan
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Karadeniz Technical University, Trabzon, 61080, Turkey
| | - Tuba Dinçer
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Karadeniz Technical University, Trabzon, Turkey
| | - Serap Pektaş
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Recep Tayyip Erdogan University, Rize, Turkey
| | - Ersin Karataş
- Department of Medical Services and Techniques, Patnos Vocational School, Ağrı İbrahim Çeçen University, Ağrı, Turkey
| | - Ali Osman Kiliç
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Karadeniz Technical University, Trabzon, 61080, Turkey.
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20
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Liu B, Guo Q, Li Z, Guo X, Liu X. Bacteriophage Endolysin: A Powerful Weapon to Control Bacterial Biofilms. Protein J 2023; 42:463-476. [PMID: 37490161 DOI: 10.1007/s10930-023-10139-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023]
Abstract
Bacterial biofilms are widespread in the environment, and bacteria in the biofilm are highly resistant to antibiotics and possess host immune defense mechanisms, which can lead to serious clinical and environmental health problems. The increasing problem of bacterial resistance caused by the irrational use of traditional antimicrobial drugs has prompted the search for better and novel antimicrobial substances. In this paper, we review the effects of phage endolysins, modified phage endolysins, and their combination with other substances on bacterial biofilms and provide an outlook on their practical applications. Phage endolysins can specifically and efficiently hydrolyze the cell walls of bacteria, causing bacterial lysis and death. Phage endolysins have shown superior bactericidal effects in vitro and in vivo, and no direct toxicity in humans has been reported to date. The properties of phage endolysins make them promising for the prevention and treatment of bacterial infections. Meanwhile, endolysins have been genetically engineered to exert a stronger scavenging effect on biological membranes when used in combination with antibiotics and drugs. Phage endolysins are powerful weapons for controlling bacterial biofilms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bingxin Liu
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Qiucui Guo
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zong Li
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoxiao Guo
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xinchun Liu
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
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21
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Dorosky RJ, Lola SL, Brown HA, Schreier JE, Dreher-Lesnick SM, Stibitz S. Characterization of Lactobacilli Phage Endolysins and Their Functional Domains-Potential Live Biotherapeutic Testing Reagents. Viruses 2023; 15:1986. [PMID: 37896764 PMCID: PMC10610939 DOI: 10.3390/v15101986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2023] [Revised: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Phage endolysin-specific binding characteristics and killing activity support their potential use in biotechnological applications, including potency and purity testing of live biotherapeutic products (LBPs). LBPs contain live organisms, such as lactic acid bacteria (LAB), and are intended for use as drugs. Our approach uses the endolysin cell wall binding domains (CBD) for LBP potency assays and the endolysin killing activity for purity assays. CBDs of the following five lactobacilli phage lysins were characterized: CL1, Jlb1, Lj965, LL-H, and ΦJB. They exhibited different bindings to 27 LAB strains and were found to bind peptidoglycan or surface polymers. Flow cytometry based on CBD binding was used to enumerate viable counts of two strains in the mixture. CL1-lys, jlb1-lys, and ΦJB-lys and their enzymatic domains (EADs) exhibited cell wall digestive activity and lytic activity against LAB. Jlb1-EAD and ΦJB-EAD were more sensitive than their respective hololysins to buffer pH and NaCl changes. The ΦJB-EAD exhibited stronger lytic activity than ΦJB-lys, possibly due to ΦJB-CBD-mediated sequestration of ΦJB-lys by cell debris. CBD multiplex assays indicate that these proteins may be useful LBP potency reagents, and the lytic activity suggests that CL1-lys, jlb1-lys, and ΦJB-lys and their EADs are good candidates for LBP purity reagent development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert J. Dorosky
- Office of Vaccines Research and Review, Division of Bacterial, Parasitic, and Allergenic Products, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD 20993, USA
| | - Stephanie L. Lola
- Office of Vaccines Research and Review, Division of Bacterial, Parasitic, and Allergenic Products, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD 20993, USA
| | - Haleigh A. Brown
- Office of Vaccines Research and Review, Division of Bacterial, Parasitic, and Allergenic Products, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD 20993, USA
| | - Jeremy E. Schreier
- Department of Marine Sciences, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Sheila M. Dreher-Lesnick
- Office of Vaccines Research and Review, Division of Bacterial, Parasitic, and Allergenic Products, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD 20993, USA
| | - Scott Stibitz
- Office of Vaccines Research and Review, Division of Bacterial, Parasitic, and Allergenic Products, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD 20993, USA
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22
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Krishnappa G, Mandal M, Ganesan S, Babu S, Padavattan S, Haradara Bahubali VK, Padmanabhan B. Structural and biochemical insights into the bacteriophage PlyGRCS endolysin targeting methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and serendipitous discovery of its interaction with a cold shock protein C (CspC). Protein Sci 2023; 32:e4737. [PMID: 37497650 PMCID: PMC10443338 DOI: 10.1002/pro.4737] [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: 04/06/2023] [Revised: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023]
Abstract
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) causes life-threatening human infections. Bacteriophage-encoded endolysins degrade the cell walls of Gram-positive bacteria by selectively hydrolyzing the peptidoglycan layer and thus are promising candidates to combat bacterial infections. PlyGRCS, the S. aureus-specific bacteriophage endolysin, contains a catalytic CHAP domain and a cell-wall binding SH3_5 domain connected by a linker. Here, we show the crystal structure of full-length PlyGRCS refined to 2.1 Å resolution. In addition, a serendipitous finding revealed that PlyGRCS binds to cold-shock protein C (CspC) by interacting with its CHAP and SH3_5 domains. CspC is an RNA chaperone that plays regulatory roles by conferring bacterial adaptability to various stress conditions. PlyGRCS has substantial lytic activity against S. aureus and showed only minimal change in its lytic activity in the presence of CspC. Whereas the PlyGRCS-CspC complex greatly reduced CspC-nucleic acid binding, the aforesaid complex may downregulate the CspC function during bacterial infection. Overall, the crystal structure and biochemical results of PlyGRCS provide a molecular basis for the bacteriolytic activity of PlyGRCS against S. aureus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gopinatha Krishnappa
- Department of BiophysicsNational Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS)BengaluruIndia
| | - Mitali Mandal
- Department of BiophysicsNational Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS)BengaluruIndia
| | - Saranya Ganesan
- Department of BiophysicsNational Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS)BengaluruIndia
| | - Sudhagar Babu
- Department of BiophysicsNational Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS)BengaluruIndia
| | - Sivaraman Padavattan
- Department of BiophysicsNational Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS)BengaluruIndia
| | | | - Balasundaram Padmanabhan
- Department of BiophysicsNational Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS)BengaluruIndia
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23
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Stevens RH, Zhang H, Kajsik M, Płoski R, Rydzanicz M, Sabaka P, Šutovský S. Successful use of a phage endolysin for treatment of chronic pelvic pain syndrome/chronic bacterial prostatitis. Front Med (Lausanne) 2023; 10:1238147. [PMID: 37649979 PMCID: PMC10462781 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2023.1238147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic prostatitis (CP) is a common inflammatory condition of the prostate that is estimated to effect 2%-10% of the world's male population. It can manifest as perineal, suprapubic, or lower back pain and urinary symptoms occurring with either recurrent bacterial infection [chronic bacterial prostatitis (CBP)] or in the absence of evidence of bacterial infection [chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS)]. Here, in the case of a 39 years-old CBP patient, we report the first successful use of a bacteriophage-derived muralytic enzyme (endolysin) to treat and resolve the disease. Bacteriological analysis of the patient's prostatic secretion and semen samples revealed a chronic Enterococcus faecalis prostate infection, supporting a diagnosis of CBP. The patient's E. faecalis strain was resistant to several antibiotics and developed resistance to others during the course of treatment. Previous treatment with multiple courses of antibiotics, bacteriophages, probiotics, and immunologic stimulation had failed to achieve long term eradication of the infection or lasting mitigation of the symptoms. A cloned endolysin gene, encoded by E. faecalis bacteriophage ϕEf11, was expressed, and the resulting gene product was purified to electrophoretic homogeneity. A seven-day course of treatment with the endolysin resulted in the elimination of the E. faecalis infection to below culturally detectable levels, and the abatement of symptoms to near normal levels. Furthermore, during the endolysin treatment, the patient experienced no untoward reactions. The present report demonstrates the effectiveness of an endolysin as a novel modality in managing a recalcitrant infection that could not be controlled by conventional antibiotic therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roy H. Stevens
- Laboratory of Oral Infectious Diseases, Kornberg School of Dentistry, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Hongming Zhang
- Laboratory of Oral Infectious Diseases, Kornberg School of Dentistry, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Michal Kajsik
- Department of Bacteriology, Comenius University Science Park, Bratislava, Slovakia
- Department of Molecular Biology, Comenius University Faculty of Natural Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Rafał Płoski
- Department of Medical Genetics, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | | | - Peter Sabaka
- Department of Infectiology and Geographical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Stanislav Šutovský
- 1st Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University and University Hospital, Bratislava, Slovakia
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24
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Vázquez R, Briers Y. What's in a Name? An Overview of the Proliferating Nomenclature in the Field of Phage Lysins. Cells 2023; 12:2016. [PMID: 37566095 PMCID: PMC10417350 DOI: 10.3390/cells12152016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Revised: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023] Open
Abstract
In the last few years, the volume of research produced on phage lysins has grown spectacularly due to the interest in using them as alternative antimicrobials. As a result, a plethora of naming customs has sprouted among the different research groups devoted to them. While the naming diversity accounts for the vitality of the topic, on too many occasions it also creates some confusion and lack of comparability between different works. This article aims at clarifying the ambiguities found among names referring to phage lysins. We do so by tackling the naming customs historically, framing their original adoption, and employing a semantic classification to facilitate their discussion. We propose a periodization of phage lysin research that begins at the discovery era, in the early 20th century, enriches with a strong molecular biology period, and grows into a current time of markedly applied research. During these different periods, names referring to the general concepts surrounding lysins have been created and adopted, as well as other more specific terms related to their structure and function or, finally, names that have been coined for the antimicrobial application and engineering of phage lysins. Thus, this article means to serve as an invitation to the global lysin community to take action and discuss a widely supported, standardized nomenclature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Vázquez
- Laboratory of Applied Biotechnology, Department of Biotechnology, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Yves Briers
- Laboratory of Applied Biotechnology, Department of Biotechnology, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
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25
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Stojowska-Swędrzyńska K, Kuczyńska-Wiśnik D, Laskowska E. New Strategies to Kill Metabolically-Dormant Cells Directly Bypassing the Need for Active Cellular Processes. Antibiotics (Basel) 2023; 12:1044. [PMID: 37370363 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics12061044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2023] [Revised: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 06/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Antibiotic therapy failure is often caused by the presence of persister cells, which are metabolically-dormant bacteria capable of surviving exposure to antimicrobials. Under favorable conditions, persisters can resume growth leading to recurrent infections. Moreover, several studies have indicated that persisters may promote the evolution of antimicrobial resistance and facilitate the selection of specific resistant mutants; therefore, in light of the increasing numbers of multidrug-resistant infections worldwide, developing efficient strategies against dormant cells is of paramount importance. In this review, we present and discuss the efficacy of various agents whose antimicrobial activity is independent of the metabolic status of the bacteria as they target cell envelope structures. Since the biofilm-environment is favorable for the formation of dormant subpopulations, anti-persister strategies should also include agents that destroy the biofilm matrix or inhibit biofilm development. This article reviews examples of selected cell wall hydrolases, polysaccharide depolymerases and antimicrobial peptides. Their combination with standard antibiotics seems to be the most promising approach in combating persistent infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karolina Stojowska-Swędrzyńska
- Department of General and Medical Biochemistry, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdansk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308 Gdansk, Poland
| | - Dorota Kuczyńska-Wiśnik
- Department of General and Medical Biochemistry, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdansk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308 Gdansk, Poland
| | - Ewa Laskowska
- Department of General and Medical Biochemistry, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdansk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308 Gdansk, Poland
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26
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Han MH, Khan SA, Moon GS. Cutibacterium acnes KCTC 3314 Growth Reduction with the Combined Use of Bacteriophage PAP 1-1 and Nisin. Antibiotics (Basel) 2023; 12:1035. [PMID: 37370354 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics12061035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2023] [Revised: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Severe acne has high psychological impacts recorded worldwide, from depression to suicide. To control acne infection, bacteriophage could be used in synergy or combination with antibiotics/antimicrobials. Bacteriophages are specific to their hosts without interfering with the normal skin microbes and have the ability to lyse bacterial cells. In this current study, the bacteriophage PAP 1-1 was isolated, characterized, and tested against the pathogenic acne-causing bacterium Cutibacterium acnes. Examination under transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed that the newly isolated phage has a morphology typical of siphoviruses. Phylogenetic analysis, utilizing the maximum likelihood (ML) algorithm based on complete genome sequences, revealed that PAP 1-1 clustered together with bacteriophages active to Propionibacterium acnes (now known as C. acnes), forming a distinct evolutionary lineage. The genomic analysis further identified the presence of an endolysin gene in PAP 1-1, suggesting its potential to regulate the growth of C. acnes. Subsequent experiments conducted in RCM broth confirmed the ability of PAP 1-1 to effectively control the proliferation of C. acnes. In combination with bacteriocin from Lactococcus lactis CJNU 3001 and nisin, PAP 1-1 greatly decreased the viable cell counts of C. acnes in the broth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min-Hui Han
- Major of Biotechnology, Korea National University of Transportation, Chungju 27909, Republic of Korea
| | - Shehzad Abid Khan
- Atta-ur-Rahman School of Applied Biosciences (ASAB), National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Islamabad 44000, Pakistan
| | - Gi-Seong Moon
- Major of Biotechnology, Korea National University of Transportation, Chungju 27909, Republic of Korea
- 4D Convergence Technology Institute, Korea National University of Transportation, Chungju 27909, Republic of Korea
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27
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Wardani AK, Buana EOGHN, Sutrisno A. The potency of bacteriophages isolated from chicken intestine and beef tribe to control biofilm-forming bacteria, Bacillus subtilis. Sci Rep 2023; 13:8222. [PMID: 37217567 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-35474-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2022] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Biofilm becomes one of the crucial food safety problems in the food industry as the formation of biofilm can be a source of contamination. To deal with the problem, an industry generally employs physical and chemical methods including sanitizers, disinfectants, and antimicrobials to remove biofilm. However, the use of these methods may bring about new problems, which are bacterial resistance in the biofilm and the risk for product contamination. New strategies to deal with bacterial biofilms are needed. Bacteriophages (phages), as a green alternative to chemical, have re-emerged as a promising approach to treat bacterial biofilm. In the present study, the potential of lytic phages which have antibiofilm activity on biofilm-forming bacteria (Bacillus subtilis), were isolated from chicken intestines and beef tripe obtained from Indonesian traditional markets using host cells obtained isolated from these samples. Phages isolation was conducted by using double layer agar technique. A lytic test of phages was administered on biofilm-forming bacteria. The difference of turbidity level between control (which were not infected by phages) and the test tubes containing host bacteria infected by phages was investigated. The infection time for the production of phages was determined based on the level of clarity of the media in the test tube with a longer lysate addition time. Three phages were isolated namely: ϕBS6, ϕBS8, and ϕUA7. It showed the ability to inhibit B. subtilis as biofilm-forming spoilage bacteria. The best inhibition results were obtained from ϕBS6. Infection with ϕBS6 in B. subtilis lead to 0.5 log cycle decreased in bacterial cells. This study showed that isolated phages might be used as a potential approach for handling the problem of biofilm formation by B. subtilis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agustin Krisna Wardani
- Department of Food Science and Biotechnology, Universitas Brawijaya, Malang, 65145, Indonesia.
| | | | - Aji Sutrisno
- Department of Food Science and Biotechnology, Universitas Brawijaya, Malang, 65145, Indonesia
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28
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Alreja AB, Linden SB, Lee HR, Chao KL, Herzberg O, Nelson DC. Understanding the Molecular Basis for Homodimer Formation of the Pneumococcal Endolysin Cpl-1. ACS Infect Dis 2023; 9:1092-1104. [PMID: 37126660 PMCID: PMC10577085 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.2c00627] [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] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
The rise of multi-drug-resistant bacteria that cannot be treated with traditional antibiotics has prompted the search for alternatives to combat bacterial infections. Endolysins, which are bacteriophage-derived peptidoglycan hydrolases, are attractive tools in this fight. Several studies have already demonstrated the efficacy of endolysins in targeting bacterial infections. Endolysins encoded by bacteriophages that infect Gram-positive bacteria typically possess an N-terminal catalytic domain and a C-terminal cell-wall binding domain (CWBD). In this study, we have uncovered the molecular mechanisms that underlie formation of a homodimer of Cpl-1, an endolysin that targets Streptococcus pneumoniae. Here, we use site-directed mutagenesis, analytical size exclusion chromatography, and analytical ultracentrifugation to disprove a previous suggestion that three residues at the N-terminus of the CWBD are involved in the formation of a Cpl-1 dimer in the presence of choline in solution. We conclusively show that the C-terminal tail region of Cpl-1 is involved in formation of the dimer. Alanine scanning mutagenesis generated various tail mutant constructs that allowed identification of key residues that mediate Cpl-1 dimer formation. Finally, our results allowed identification of a consensus sequence (FxxEPDGLIT) required for choline-dependent dimer formation─a sequence that occurs frequently in pneumococcal autolysins and endolysins. These findings shed light on the mechanisms of Cpl-1 and related enzymes and can be used to inform future engineering efforts for their therapeutic development against S. pneumoniae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adit B Alreja
- Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, Rockville, Maryland 20850, USA
- Biological Sciences Graduate Program - Molecular and Cellular Biology Concentration, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742, USA
| | - Sara B Linden
- Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, Rockville, Maryland 20850, USA
| | - Harrison R Lee
- Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, Rockville, Maryland 20850, USA
| | - Kinlin L Chao
- Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, Rockville, Maryland 20850, USA
| | - Osnat Herzberg
- Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, Rockville, Maryland 20850, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Chemistry, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742, USA
| | - Daniel C Nelson
- Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, Rockville, Maryland 20850, USA
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742, USA
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29
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Wang JM, Seok SH, Yoon WS, Kim JH, Seo MD. Crystal structure of the engineered endolysin mtEC340M. Acta Crystallogr F Struct Biol Commun 2023; 79:105-110. [PMID: 37132476 PMCID: PMC10167747 DOI: 10.1107/s2053230x23002583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 03/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Endolysins produced by bacteriophages play essential roles in the release of phage progeny by degrading the peptidoglycan layers of the bacterial cell wall. Bacteriophage-encoded endolysins have emerged as a new class of antibacterial agents to combat surging antibiotic resistance. The crystal structure of mtEC340M, an engineered endolysin EC340 from the PBEC131 phage that infects Escherichia coli, was determined. The crystal structure of mtEC340M at 2.4 Å resolution consists of eight α-helices and two loops. The three active residues of mtEC340M were predicted by structural comparison with peptidoglycan-degrading lysozyme.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jee-Min Wang
- Department of Molecular Science and Technology, Ajou University, Suwon, Gyeonggi 16499, Republic of Korea
- College of Pharmacy and Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology (RIPST), Ajou University, Suwon, Gyeonggi 16499, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung-Hyeon Seok
- College of Pharmacy and Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Advanced Convergence Technology and Science, Jeju National University, Jeju, Jeju 63243, Republic of Korea
| | - Won-Su Yoon
- Department of Molecular Science and Technology, Ajou University, Suwon, Gyeonggi 16499, Republic of Korea
- College of Pharmacy and Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology (RIPST), Ajou University, Suwon, Gyeonggi 16499, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji-Hun Kim
- College of Pharmacy, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Chungbuk 28160, Republic of Korea
| | - Min-Duk Seo
- Department of Molecular Science and Technology, Ajou University, Suwon, Gyeonggi 16499, Republic of Korea
- College of Pharmacy and Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology (RIPST), Ajou University, Suwon, Gyeonggi 16499, Republic of Korea
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30
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Liu H, Hu Z, Li M, Yang Y, Lu S, Rao X. Therapeutic potential of bacteriophage endolysins for infections caused by Gram-positive bacteria. J Biomed Sci 2023; 30:29. [PMID: 37101261 PMCID: PMC10131408 DOI: 10.1186/s12929-023-00919-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 04/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Gram-positive (G+) bacterial infection is a great burden to both healthcare and community medical resources. As a result of the increasing prevalence of multidrug-resistant G+ bacteria such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), novel antimicrobial agents must urgently be developed for the treatment of infections caused by G+ bacteria. Endolysins are bacteriophage (phage)-encoded enzymes that can specifically hydrolyze the bacterial cell wall and quickly kill bacteria. Bacterial resistance to endolysins is low. Therefore, endolysins are considered promising alternatives for solving the mounting resistance problem. In this review, endolysins derived from phages targeting G+ bacteria were classified based on their structural characteristics. The active mechanisms, efficacy, and advantages of endolysins as antibacterial drug candidates were summarized. Moreover, the remarkable potential of phage endolysins in the treatment of G+ bacterial infections was described. In addition, the safety of endolysins, challenges, and possible solutions were addressed. Notwithstanding the limitations of endolysins, the trends in development indicate that endolysin-based drugs will be approved in the near future. Overall, this review presents crucial information of the current progress involving endolysins as potential therapeutic agents, and it provides a guideline for biomaterial researchers who are devoting themselves to fighting against bacterial infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- He Liu
- Department of Microbiology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Key Laboratory of Microbial Engineering Under the Educational Committee in Chongqing, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Zhen Hu
- Department of Microbiology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Key Laboratory of Microbial Engineering Under the Educational Committee in Chongqing, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Mengyang Li
- Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400044, China
| | - Yi Yang
- Department of Microbiology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Key Laboratory of Microbial Engineering Under the Educational Committee in Chongqing, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Shuguang Lu
- Department of Microbiology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Key Laboratory of Microbial Engineering Under the Educational Committee in Chongqing, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China.
| | - Xiancai Rao
- Department of Microbiology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Key Laboratory of Microbial Engineering Under the Educational Committee in Chongqing, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China.
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Barkova IA, Izhberdeeva MP, Sautkina AA. Endolysins of bacteriophages. JOURNAL OF MICROBIOLOGY, EPIDEMIOLOGY AND IMMUNOBIOLOGY 2023. [DOI: 10.36233/0372-9311-250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/05/2023]
Abstract
Bacteriophage endolysins are a biologically active substances that play a specific role in the release of phage progeny by degrading the peptidoglycan of the host bacterium. In the light of antibiotic resistance, endolysins are considered as alternative therapeutic agents because of their exceptional ability to target bacterial cells.
Aim summarization of the data on the biology, structure, mechanisms of action of bacteriophage endolysins, as well as on preparations based on them, which are at different stages of research.
The results of studies of bacterial endolysins over the past 20 years were searched using the Internet resources PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus in English for the keywords: lysin, bacteriophages, holin, antibiotic resistance.
The analysis of literature data showed that the structure of phage endolysins of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria differs from each other and reflects differences in their architecture due to variation in the cell wall composition of these two major bacterial groups. Depending on the cleavable bond in peptidoglycan, endolysins can be divided into at least five different groups: glycosidases (two groups aminidases and muramidases), endopeptidases, specific amidogyrolases, and lytic transglycosylases. To date, endolysins effective against a number of pathogens have been studied, including Streptococcus pneumoniae, Streptococcus pyogenes, Streptococcus agalactiae, Staphylococcus aureus, Mycobacterium spp., Pseudomonas aeruginosa, etc. A number of studies have shown the therapeutic potential of endolysins in combating antibiotic-resistant infections.
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Li Z, He J, Yang F, Yin S, Gao Z, Chen W, Sun C, Tait RG, Bauck S, Guo W, Wu XL. A look under the hood of genomic-estimated breed compositions for brangus cattle: What have we learned? Front Genet 2023; 14:1080279. [PMID: 37056284 PMCID: PMC10086375 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2023.1080279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The Brangus cattle were developed to utilize the superior traits of Angus and Brahman cattle. Their genetic compositions are expected to be stabilized at 3/8 Brahman and 5/8 Angus. Previous studies have shown more than expected Angus lineage with Brangus cattle, and the reasons are yet to be investigated. In this study, we revisited the breed compositions for 3,605 Brangus cattle from three perspectives: genome-wise (GBC), per chromosomes (CBC), and per chromosome segments (SBC). The former (GBC) depicted an overall picture of the “mosaic” genome of the Brangus attributable to their ancestors, whereas the latter two criteria (CBC and SBC) corresponded to local ancestral contributions. The average GBC for the 3,605 Brangus cattle were 70.2% Angus and 29.8% Brahman. The K-means clustering supported the postulation of the mixture of 1/2 Ultrablack (UB) animals in Brangus. For the non-UB Brangus animals, the average GBC were estimated to be 67.4% Angus and 32.6% Brahman. The 95% confidence intervals of their overall GBC were 60.4%–73.5% Angus and 26.5%–39.6% Brahman. Possibly, genetic selection and drifting have resulted in an approximately 5% average deviation toward Angus lineage. The estimated ancestral contributions by chromosomes were heavily distributed toward Angus, with 27 chromosomes having an average Angus CBC greater than 62.5% but only two chromosomes (5 and 20) having Brahman CBC greater than 37.5%. The chromosomal regions with high Angus breed proportions were prevalent, tending to form larger blocks on most chromosomes. In contrast, chromosome segments with high Brahman breed proportion were relatively few and isolated, presenting only on seven chromosomes. Hence, genomic hitchhiking effects were strong where Angus favorable alleles resided but weak where Brahman favorable alleles were present. The functions of genes identified in the chromosomal regions with high (≥75%) Angus compositions were diverse yet may were related to growth and body development. In contrast, the genes identified in the regions with high (≥37.5%) Brahman compositions were primarily responsible for disease resistance. In conclusion, we have addressed the questions concerning the Brangus genetic make-ups. The results can help form a dynamic picture of the Brangus breed formation and the genomic reshaping.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi Li
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Jun He
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- *Correspondence: Jun He, ; Xiao-Lin Wu,
| | - Fang Yang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Shishu Yin
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Zhendong Gao
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Wenwu Chen
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Chuanyu Sun
- Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Neogen GeneSeek, Lincoln, NE, United States
| | - Richard G. Tait
- Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Neogen GeneSeek, Lincoln, NE, United States
| | - Stewart Bauck
- Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Neogen GeneSeek, Lincoln, NE, United States
| | - Wei Guo
- Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Xiao-Lin Wu
- Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, United States
- Council on Dairy Cattle Breeding, Bowie, MD, United States
- *Correspondence: Jun He, ; Xiao-Lin Wu,
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Cui J, Shi X, Wang X, Sun H, Yan Y, Zhao F, Zhang C, Liu W, Zou L, Han L, Pan Q, Ren H. Characterization of a lytic Pseudomonas aeruginosa phage vB_PaeP_ASP23 and functional analysis of its lysin LysASP and holin HolASP. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1093668. [PMID: 36998407 PMCID: PMC10045481 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1093668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/16/2023] Open
Abstract
In this study, we isolated a lytic Pseudomonas aeruginosa phage (vB_PaeP_ASP23) from the sewage of a mink farm, characterized its complete genome and analyzed the function of its putative lysin and holin. Morphological characterization and genome annotation showed that phage ASP23 belonged to the Krylovirinae family genus Phikmvvirus, and it had a latent period of 10 min and a burst size of 140 pfu/infected cell. In minks challenged with P. aeruginosa, phage ASP23 significantly reduced bacterial counts in the liver, lung, and blood. The whole-genome sequencing showed that its genome was a 42,735-bp linear and double-stranded DNA (dsDNA), with a G + C content of 62.15%. Its genome contained 54 predicted open reading frames (ORFs), 25 of which had known functions. The lysin of phage ASP23 (LysASP), in combination with EDTA, showed high lytic activity against P. aeruginosa L64. The holin of phage ASP23 was synthesized by M13 phage display technology, to produce recombinant phages (HolASP). Though HolASP exhibited a narrow lytic spectrum, it was effective against Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis. However, these two bacteria were insensitive to LysASP. The findings highlight the potential of phage ASP23 to be used in the development of new antibacterial agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaqi Cui
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Xiaojie Shi
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Xinwei Wang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Huzhi Sun
- Qingdao Phagepharm Bio-Tech Co., Ltd., Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Yanxin Yan
- Qingdao Phagepharm Bio-Tech Co., Ltd., Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Feiyang Zhao
- Qingdao Phagepharm Bio-Tech Co., Ltd., Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Can Zhang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Wenhua Liu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Ling Zou
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Lei Han
- College of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Qiang Pan
- Qingdao Phagepharm Bio-Tech Co., Ltd., Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Huiying Ren
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, Shandong, China
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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.
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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.)
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Phage Therapy as an Alternative Treatment Modality for Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Infections. Antibiotics (Basel) 2023; 12:antibiotics12020286. [PMID: 36830196 PMCID: PMC9952150 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics12020286] [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: 12/19/2022] [Revised: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The production and use of antibiotics increased significantly after the Second World War due to their effectiveness against bacterial infections. However, bacterial resistance also emerged and has now become an important global issue. Those most in need are typically high-risk and include individuals who experience burns and other wounds, as well as those with pulmonary infections caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria, such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter sp, and Staphylococci. With investment to develop new antibiotics waning, finding and developing alternative therapeutic strategies to tackle this issue is imperative. One option remerging in popularity is bacteriophage (phage) therapy. This review focuses on Staphylococcus aureus and how it has developed resistance to antibiotics. It also discusses the potential of phage therapy in this setting and its appropriateness in high-risk people, such as those with cystic fibrosis, where it typically forms a biofilm.
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Kim Y, Lee SM, Nong LK, Kim J, Kim SB, Kim D. Characterization of Klebsiella pneumoniae bacteriophages, KP1 and KP12, with deep learning-based structure prediction. Front Microbiol 2023; 13:990910. [PMID: 36762092 PMCID: PMC9902359 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.990910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Concerns over Klebsiella pneumoniae resistance to the last-line antibiotic treatment have prompted a reconsideration of bacteriophage therapy in public health. Biotechnological application of phages and their gene products as an alternative to antibiotics necessitates the understanding of their genomic context. This study sequenced, annotated, characterized, and compared two Klebsiella phages, KP1 and KP12. Physiological validations identified KP1 and KP12 as members of Myoviridae family. Both phages showed that their activities were stable in a wide range of pH and temperature. They exhibit a host specificity toward K. pneumoniae with a broad intraspecies host range. General features of genome size, coding density, percentage GC content, and phylogenetic analyses revealed that these bacteriophages are distantly related. Phage lytic proteins (endolysin, anti-/holin, spanin) identified by the local alignment against different databases, were subjected to further bioinformatic analyses including three-dimensional (3D) structure prediction by AlphaFold. AlphaFold models of phage lysis proteins were consistent with the published X-ray crystal structures, suggesting the presence of T4-like and P1/P2-like bacteriophage lysis proteins in KP1 and KP12, respectively. By providing the primary sequence information, this study contributes novel bacteriophages for research and development pipelines of phage therapy that ultimately, cater to the unmet clinical and industrial needs against K. pneumoniae pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youngju Kim
- Optipharm Inc., Cheongju-si, Chungcheongbuk-do, Republic of Korea,Department of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, College of Biological Science and Biotechnology, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang-Mok Lee
- School of Energy and Chemical Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Ulsan, Republic of Korea
| | - Linh Khanh Nong
- School of Energy and Chemical Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Ulsan, Republic of Korea
| | - Jaehyung Kim
- School of Energy and Chemical Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Ulsan, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung Bum Kim
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, College of Biological Science and Biotechnology, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Donghyuk Kim
- School of Energy and Chemical Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Ulsan, Republic of Korea,*Correspondence: Donghyuk Kim,
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Tyagi JL, Sharma M, Gulati K, Kairamkonda M, Kumar D, Poluri KM. Engineering of a T7 Bacteriophage Endolysin Variant with Enhanced Amidase Activity. Biochemistry 2023; 62:330-344. [PMID: 35060722 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.1c00710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
The therapeutic use of bacteriophage-encoded endolysins as enzybiotics has increased significantly in recent years due to the emergence of antibiotic resistant bacteria. Phage endolysins lyse the bacteria by targeting their cell wall. Various engineering strategies are commonly used to modulate or enhance the utility of therapeutic enzymes. This study employed a structure-guided mutagenesis approach to engineer a T7 bacteriophage endolysin (T7L) with enhanced amidase activity and lysis potency via replacement of a noncatalytic gating residue (His 37). Two H37 variants (H37A and H37K) were designed and characterized comprehensively using integrated biophysical and biochemical techniques to provide mechanistic insights into their structure-stability-dynamics-activity paradigms. Among the studied proteins, cell lysis data suggested that the obtained H37A variant exhibits amidase activity (∼35%) enhanced compared to that of wild-type T7 endolysin (T7L-WT). In contrast to this, the H37K variant is highly unstable, prone to aggregation, and less active. Comparison of the structure and dynamics of the H37A variant to those of T7L-WT evidenced that the alteration at the site of H37 resulted in long-range structural perturbations, attenuated the conformational heterogeneity, and quenched the microsecond to millisecond time scale motions. Stability analysis confirmed the altered stability of H37A compared to that of its WT counterpart. All of the obtained results established that the H37A variant enhances the lysis activity by regulating the stability-activity trade-off. This study provided deeper atomic level insights into the structure-function relationships of endolysin proteins, thus aiding researchers in the rational design of engineered endolysins with enhanced therapeutic properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaya Lakshmi Tyagi
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee 247667, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Meenakshi Sharma
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee 247667, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Khushboo Gulati
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee 247667, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Manikyaprabhu Kairamkonda
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee 247667, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Dinesh Kumar
- Centre of Biomedical Research, SGPGIMS Campus, Lucknow 226014, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Krishna Mohan Poluri
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee 247667, Uttarakhand, India.,Centre for Nanotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee 247667, Uttarakhand, India
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Shymialevich D, Wójcicki M, Wardaszka A, Świder O, Sokołowska B, Błażejak S. Application of Lytic Bacteriophages and Their Enzymes to Reduce Saprophytic Bacteria Isolated from Minimally Processed Plant-Based Food Products-In Vitro Studies. Viruses 2022; 15:9. [PMID: 36680050 PMCID: PMC9865725 DOI: 10.3390/v15010009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2022] [Revised: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 12/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to isolate phage enzymes and apply them in vitro for eradication of the dominant saprophytic bacteria isolated from minimally processed food. Four bacteriophages-two Enterobacter-specific and two Serratia-specific, which produce lytic enzymes-were used in this research. Two methods of phage enzyme isolation were tested, namely precipitation with acetone and ultracentrifugation. It was found that the number of virions could be increased almost 100 times due to the extension of the cultivation time (72 h). The amplification of phage particles and lytic proteins was dependent on the time of cultivation. Considering the influence of isolated enzymes on the growth kinetics of bacterial hosts, proteins isolated with acetone after 72-hour phage propagation exhibited the highest inhibitory effect. The reduction of bacteria count was dependent on the concentration of enzymes in the lysates. The obtained results indicate that phages and their lytic enzymes could be used in further research aiming at the improvement of microbiological quality and safety of minimally processed food products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dziyana Shymialevich
- Culture Collection of Industrial Microorganisms—Microbiological Resources Center, Department of Microbiology, Prof. Waclaw Dabrowski Institute of Agricultural and Food Biotechnology—State Research Institute, Rakowiecka 36 Street, 02-532 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Michał Wójcicki
- Laboratory of Biotechnology and Molecular Engineering, Department of Microbiology, Prof. Waclaw Dabrowski Institute of Agricultural and Food Biotechnology—State Research Institute, Rakowiecka 36 Street, 02-532 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Artur Wardaszka
- Laboratory of Biotechnology and Molecular Engineering, Department of Microbiology, Prof. Waclaw Dabrowski Institute of Agricultural and Food Biotechnology—State Research Institute, Rakowiecka 36 Street, 02-532 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Olga Świder
- Department of Food Safety and Chemical Analysis, Prof. Waclaw Dabrowski Institute of Agricultural and Food Biotechnology—State Research Institute, Rakowiecka 36 Street, 02-532 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Barbara Sokołowska
- Department of Microbiology, Prof. Waclaw Dabrowski Institute of Agricultural and Food Biotechnology—State Research Institute, Rakowiecka 36 Street, 02-532 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Stanisław Błażejak
- Department of Biotechnology and Food Microbiology, Institute of Food Sciences, Warsaw University of Life Sciences (WULS–SGGW), Nowoursynowska 166 Street, 02-776 Warsaw, Poland
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Antimicrobial effect of endolysins LYSDERM-S and LYSDERM-T1 and endolysin-ubiquitin combination on methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Biologia (Bratisl) 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s11756-022-01282-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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40
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Bocanova L, Psenko M, Barák I, Halgasova N, Drahovska H, Bukovska G. A novel phage-encoded endolysin EN534-C active against clinical strain Streptococcus agalactiae GBS. J Biotechnol 2022; 359:48-58. [PMID: 36179792 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiotec.2022.09.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Streptococcus agalactiae (Group B Streptococcus, GBS) is primarily known as a major neonatal pathogen. In adults, these bacteria often colonize the gastrointestinal and urogenital tracts. Treatment of infections using antibiotics is often complicated by recurrences caused by multi-resistant streptococci. Endolysin EN534 from prophage A2 of human isolate Streptococcus agalactiae KMB-534 has a modular structure consisting of two terminal catalytic domains, amidase_3 and CHAP, and one central binding domain, LysM. The EN534 gene was cloned into an expression vector, and the corresponding recombinant protein EN534-C was expressed in Escherichia coli in a soluble form and isolated by affinity chromatography. The lytic activity of this endolysin was tested on cell wall substrates from different GBS serotypes, B. subtilis, L. jensenii, and E. coli. The enzyme lysed streptococci, but not beneficial vaginal lactobacilli. The isolated protein is stable in a temperature range of 20 °C to 37 °C. Calcium ions enhanced the activity of the enzyme in the pH range from 5.0 to 8.0. The exolytic activity of EN534-C was observed by time-lapse fluorescence microscopy on a S. agalactiae CCM 6187 substrate. Recombinant endolysin EN534-C may have the potential to become an antimicrobial agent for the treatment of S. agalactiae infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Bocanova
- Department of Genomics and Biotechnology, Institute of Molecular Biology SAS, Dubravska cesta 21, 845 51 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Michal Psenko
- Department of Genomics and Biotechnology, Institute of Molecular Biology SAS, Dubravska cesta 21, 845 51 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Imrich Barák
- Department of Microbial Genetics, Institute of Molecular Biology SAS, Dubravska cesta 21, 845 51 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Nora Halgasova
- Department of Genomics and Biotechnology, Institute of Molecular Biology SAS, Dubravska cesta 21, 845 51 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Hana Drahovska
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University in Bratislava, Ilkovicova 6, 841 15 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Gabriela Bukovska
- Department of Genomics and Biotechnology, Institute of Molecular Biology SAS, Dubravska cesta 21, 845 51 Bratislava, Slovakia.
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Influence of NaCl and pH on lysostaphin catalytic activity, cell binding, and bacteriolytic activity. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2022; 106:6519-6534. [DOI: 10.1007/s00253-022-12173-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2022] [Revised: 08/26/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
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Biochemical Characterizations of the Putative Endolysin Ecd09610 Catalytic Domain from Clostridioides difficile. Antibiotics (Basel) 2022; 11:antibiotics11081131. [PMID: 36010000 PMCID: PMC9405191 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics11081131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2022] [Revised: 08/16/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Clostridioides difficile is the major pathogen of pseudomembranous colitis, and novel antimicrobial agents are sought after for its treatment. Phage-derived endolysins with species-specific lytic activity have potential as novel antimicrobial agents. We surveyed the genome of C. difficile strain 630 and identified an endolysin gene, Ecd09610, which has an uncharacterized domain at the N-terminus and two catalytic domains that are homologous to glucosaminidase and endopeptidase at the C-terminus. Genes containing the two catalytic domains, the glucosaminidase domain and the endopeptidase domain, were cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli as N-terminal histidine-tagged proteins. The purified domain variants showed lytic activity almost specifically for C. difficile, which has a unique peptide bridge in its peptidoglycan. This species specificity is thought to depend on substrate cleavage activity rather than binding. The domain variants were thermostable, and, notably, the glucosaminidase domain remained active up to 100 °C. In addition, we determined the optimal pH and salt concentrations of these domain variants. Their properties are suitable for formulating a bacteriolytic enzyme as an antimicrobial agent. This lytic enzyme can serve as a scaffold for the construction of high lytic activity mutants with enhanced properties.
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A Lysozyme Murein Hydrolase with Broad-Spectrum Antibacterial Activity from Enterobacter Phage myPSH1140. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2022; 66:e0050622. [PMID: 35950843 PMCID: PMC9487488 DOI: 10.1128/aac.00506-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacteriophages and bacteriophage-derived peptidoglycan hydrolases (endolysins) present promising alternatives for the treatment of infections caused by multidrug resistant Gram-negative and Gram-positive pathogens. In this study, Gp105, a putative lysozyme murein hydrolase from Enterobacter phage myPSH1140 was characterized in silico, in vitro as well as in vivo using the purified protein. Gp105 contains a T4-type lysozyme-like domain (IPR001165) and belongs to Glycoside hydrolase family 24 (IPR002196). The putative endolysin indeed had strong antibacterial activity against Gram-negative pathogens, including E. cloacae, K. pneumoniae, P. aeruginosa, S. marcescens, Citrobacter sp., and A. baumannii. Also, an in vitro peptidoglycan hydrolysis assay showed strong activity against purified peptidoglycans. This study demonstrates the potential of Gp105 to be used as an antibacterial protein to combat Gram-negative pathogens.
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44
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Rafiei V, Najafi Y, Vélëz H, Tzelepis G. Investigating the role of a putative endolysin-like candidate effector protein in Verticillium longisporum virulence. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2022; 629:6-11. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2022.08.086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2022] [Accepted: 08/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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45
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Costa SP, Nogueira CL, Cunha AP, Lisac A, Carvalho CM. Potential of bacteriophage proteins as recognition molecules for pathogen detection. Crit Rev Biotechnol 2022:1-18. [PMID: 35848817 DOI: 10.1080/07388551.2022.2071671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Bacterial pathogens are leading causes of infections with high mortality worldwide having a great impact on healthcare systems and the food industry. Gold standard methods for bacterial detection mainly rely on culture-based technologies and biochemical tests which are laborious and time-consuming. Regardless of several developments in existing methods, the goal of achieving high sensitivity and specificity, as well as a low detection limit, remains unaccomplished. In past years, various biorecognition elements, such as antibodies, enzymes, aptamers, or nucleic acids, have been widely used, being crucial for the pathogens detection in different complex matrices. However, these molecules are usually associated with high detection limits, demand laborious and costly production, and usually present cross-reactivity. (Bacterio)phage-encoded proteins, especially the receptor binding proteins (RBPs) and cell-wall binding domains (CBDs) of endolysins, are responsible for the phage binding to the bacterial surface receptors in different stages of the phage lytic cycle. Due to their remarkable properties, such as high specificity, sensitivity, stability, and ability to be easily engineered, they are appointed as excellent candidates to replace conventional recognition molecules, thereby contributing to the improvement of the detection methods. Moreover, they offer several possibilities of application in a variety of detection systems, such as magnetic, optical, and electrochemical. Herein we provide a review of phage-derived bacterial binding proteins, namely the RBPs and CBDs, with the prospect to be employed as recognition elements for bacteria. Moreover, we summarize and discuss the various existing methods based on these proteins for the detection of nosocomial and foodborne pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susana P Costa
- Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory, Braga, Portugal.,Instituto de Engenharia de Sistemas e Computadores-Microsistemas e Nanotecnologias (INESC MN), IN-Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnolnology, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Catarina L Nogueira
- International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory, Braga, Portugal.,Instituto de Engenharia de Sistemas e Computadores-Microsistemas e Nanotecnologias (INESC MN), IN-Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnolnology, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Alexandra P Cunha
- Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory, Braga, Portugal
| | - Ana Lisac
- Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Carla M Carvalho
- International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory, Braga, Portugal
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46
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Harhala MA, Gembara K, Nelson DC, Miernikiewicz P, Dąbrowska K. Immunogenicity of Endolysin PlyC. Antibiotics (Basel) 2022; 11:antibiotics11070966. [PMID: 35884219 PMCID: PMC9312349 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics11070966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Revised: 07/14/2022] [Accepted: 07/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Endolysins are bacteriolytic enzymes derived from bacteriophages. They represent an alternative to antibiotics, since they are not susceptible to conventional antimicrobial resistance mechanisms. Since non-human proteins are efficient inducers of specific immune responses, including the IgG response or the development of an allergic response mediated by IgE, we evaluated the general immunogenicity of the highly active antibacterial enzyme, PlyC, in a human population and in a mouse model. The study includes the identification of molecular epitopes of PlyC. The overall assessment of potential hypersensitivity to this protein and PlyC-specific IgE testing was also conducted in mice. PlyC induced efficient IgG production in mice, and the molecular analysis revealed that PlyC-specific IgG interacted with four immunogenic regions identified within the PlyCA subunit. In humans, approximately 10% of the population demonstrated IgG reactivity to the PlyCB subunit only, which is attributed to cross-reactions since this was a naïve serum. Of note, in spite of being immunogenic, PlyC induced a normal immune response, without hypersensitivity, since both the animals challenged with PlyC and in the human population PlyC-specific IgE was not detected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marek Adam Harhala
- Laboratory of Phage Molecular Biology, Department of Phage Therapy, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, 53-114 Wroclaw, Poland; (M.A.H.); (K.G.); (P.M.)
- Research & Development Center, Regional Specialist Hospital, 53-114 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Gembara
- Laboratory of Phage Molecular Biology, Department of Phage Therapy, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, 53-114 Wroclaw, Poland; (M.A.H.); (K.G.); (P.M.)
- Research & Development Center, Regional Specialist Hospital, 53-114 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Daniel C. Nelson
- Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, University of Maryland, Rockville, MD 20853, USA;
| | - Paulina Miernikiewicz
- Laboratory of Phage Molecular Biology, Department of Phage Therapy, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, 53-114 Wroclaw, Poland; (M.A.H.); (K.G.); (P.M.)
| | - Krystyna Dąbrowska
- Laboratory of Phage Molecular Biology, Department of Phage Therapy, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, 53-114 Wroclaw, Poland; (M.A.H.); (K.G.); (P.M.)
- Research & Development Center, Regional Specialist Hospital, 53-114 Wroclaw, Poland
- Correspondence:
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47
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Żebrowska J, Żołnierkiewicz O, Ponikowska M, Puchalski M, Krawczun N, Makowska J, Skowron P. Cloning and Characterization of a Thermostable Endolysin of Bacteriophage TP-84 as a Potential Disinfectant and Biofilm-Removing Biological Agent. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23147612. [PMID: 35886960 PMCID: PMC9325043 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23147612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [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: 05/05/2022] [Revised: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 07/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The obligatory step in the life cycle of a lytic bacteriophage is the release of its progeny particles from infected bacterial cells. The main barrier to overcome is the cell wall, composed of crosslinked peptidoglycan, which counteracts the pressure prevailing in the cytoplasm and protects the cell against osmotic lysis and mechanical damage. Bacteriophages have developed two strategies leading to the release of progeny particles: the inhibition of peptidoglycan synthesis and enzymatic cleavage by a bacteriophage-coded endolysin. In this study, we cloned and investigated the TP84_28 endolysin of the bacteriophage TP-84, which infects thermophilic Geobacillus stearothermophilus, determined the enzymatic characteristics, and initially evaluated the endolysin application as a non-invasive agent for disinfecting surfaces, including those exposed to high temperatures. Both the native and recombinant TP84_28 endolysins, obtained through the Escherichia coli T7-lac expression system, are highly thermostable and retain trace activity after incubation at 100 °C for 30 min. The proteins exhibit strong bacterial wall digestion activity up to 77.6 °C, decreasing to marginal activity at ambient temperatures. We assayed the lysis of various types of bacteria using TP84_28 endolysins: Gram-positive, Gram-negative, encapsulated, and pathogenic. Significant lytic activity was observed on the thermophilic and mesophilic Gram-positive bacteria and, to a lesser extent, on the thermophilic and mesophilic Gram-negative bacteria. The thermostable TP84_28 endolysin seems to be a promising mild agent for disinfecting surfaces exposed to high temperatures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Żebrowska
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Gdansk, 80-309 Gdansk, Poland; (O.Ż.); (M.P.); (N.K.); (P.S.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +48-58-523-52-41
| | - Olga Żołnierkiewicz
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Gdansk, 80-309 Gdansk, Poland; (O.Ż.); (M.P.); (N.K.); (P.S.)
| | - Małgorzata Ponikowska
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Gdansk, 80-309 Gdansk, Poland; (O.Ż.); (M.P.); (N.K.); (P.S.)
| | - Michał Puchalski
- Laboratory of Biopolymers Structure, Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology UG&MUG, University of Gdansk, 80-309 Gdansk, Poland;
| | - Natalia Krawczun
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Gdansk, 80-309 Gdansk, Poland; (O.Ż.); (M.P.); (N.K.); (P.S.)
| | - Joanna Makowska
- Department of General and Inorganic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Gdansk, 80-309 Gdansk, Poland;
| | - Piotr Skowron
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Gdansk, 80-309 Gdansk, Poland; (O.Ż.); (M.P.); (N.K.); (P.S.)
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48
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Lim J, Hong J, Jung Y, Ha J, Kim H, Myung H, Song M. Bactericidal Effect of Cecropin A Fused Endolysin on Drug-Resistant Gram-Negative Pathogens. J Microbiol Biotechnol 2022; 32:816-823. [PMID: 35586934 PMCID: PMC9628910 DOI: 10.4014/jmb.2205.05009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2022] [Revised: 05/13/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The rapid spread of superbugs leads to the escalation of infectious diseases, which threatens public health. Endolysins derived from bacteriophages are spotlighted as promising alternative antibiotics against multi-drug resistant bacteria. In this study, we isolated and characterized the novel Salmonella typhimurium phage PBST08. Bioinformatics analysis of the PBST08 genome revealed putative endolysin ST01 with a lysozyme-like domain. Since the lytic activity of the purified ST01 was minor, probably owing to the outer membrane, which blocks accessibility to peptidoglycan, antimicrobial peptide cecropin A (CecA) was fused to the N-terminus of ST01 to disrupt the outer membrane. The resulting CecA::ST01 has been shown to have increased bactericidal activity against gram-negative pathogens including Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Escherichia coli, and Enterobacter cloacae and the most affected target was A. baumannii. In the presence of 0.25 μM CecA::ST01, A. baumannii ATCC 17978 strain was completely killed and CCARM 12026 strain was wiped out by 0.5 μM CecA::ST01, which is a clinical isolate of A. baumannii and resistant to multiple drugs including carbapenem. Moreover, the larvae of Galleria mellonella could be rescued up to 58% or 49% by the administration of CecA::ST01 upon infection by A. baumannii 17978 or CCARM 12026 strain. Finally, the antibacterial activity of CecA::ST01 was verified using 31 strains of five gram-negative pathogens by evaluation of minimal inhibitory concentration. Thus, the results indicate that a fusion of antimicrobial peptide to endolysin can enhance antibacterial activity and the spectrum of endolysin where multi-drug resistant gram-negative pathogens can be efficiently controlled.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeonghyun Lim
- Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, Yongin 17035, Republic of Korea
| | - Juyeon Hong
- Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, Yongin 17035, Republic of Korea
| | - Yongwon Jung
- Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, Yongin 17035, Republic of Korea
| | - Jaewon Ha
- Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, Yongin 17035, Republic of Korea
| | - Hwan Kim
- Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, Yongin 17035, Republic of Korea
| | - Heejoon Myung
- Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, Yongin 17035, Republic of Korea,LyseNTech Co., Ltd., Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, 13486, Republic of Korea
| | - Miryoung Song
- Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, Yongin 17035, Republic of Korea,Corresponding author Phone: +82-31-330-4714 Fax: +82-31-330-4272 E-mail:
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49
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Li L, Wu Y, Ma D, Zhou Y, Wang L, Han K, Cao Y, Wang X. Isolation and characterization of a novel Escherichia coli phage Kayfunavirus ZH4. Virus Genes 2022; 58:448-457. [PMID: 35716226 DOI: 10.1007/s11262-022-01916-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Escherichia coli, a gram-negative bacterium, was generally considered conditional pathogenic bacteria and the proportion of bacteria resistant to commonly used specified antibacterial drugs exceeded 50%. Phage therapeutic application has been revitalized since antibiotic resistance in bacteria was increasing. Compared with antibiotics, phage is the virus specific to bacterial hosts. However, further understanding of phage-host interactions is required. In this study, a novel phage specific to a E. coli strain, named as phage Kayfunavirus ZH4, was isolated and characterized. Transmission electron microscopy showed that phage ZH4 belongs to the family Autographiviridae. The whole-genome analysis showed that the length of phage ZH4 genome was 39,496 bp with 49 coding domain sequence (CDS) and no tRNA was detected. Comparative genome and phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that phage ZH4 was highly similar to phages belonging to the genus Kayfunavirus. Moreover, the highest average nucleotide identity (ANI) values of phage ZH4 with all the known phages was 0.86, suggesting that ZH4 was a relatively novel phage. Temperature and pH stability tests showed that phage ZH4 was stable from 4° to 50 °C and pH range from 3 to 11. Host range of phage ZH4 showed that there were only 2 out of 17 strains lysed by phage ZH4. Taken together, phage ZH4 was considered as a novel phage with the potential for applications in the food and pharmaceutical industries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Li
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, 530004, Nanning, Guangxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuxing Wu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, 530004, Nanning, Guangxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Dongxin Ma
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, 530004, Nanning, Guangxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuqing Zhou
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, 530004, Nanning, Guangxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Leping Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, 530004, Nanning, Guangxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Kaiou Han
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, 530004, Nanning, Guangxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Yajie Cao
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, 530004, Nanning, Guangxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaoye Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, 530004, Nanning, Guangxi, People's Republic of China.
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50
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Nie T, Meng F, Lu F, Bie X, Zhao H, Sun J, Lu Z, Lu Y. An endolysin Salmcide-p1 from bacteriophage fmb-p1 against gram-negative bacteria. J Appl Microbiol 2022; 133:1597-1609. [PMID: 35689810 DOI: 10.1111/jam.15661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2021] [Revised: 05/12/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
AIMS A novel endolysin Salmcide-p1 was developed as a promising candidate of new preservative and a supplement to effective enzyme preparations against gram-negative bacterial contaminations. METHODS AND RESULTS Salmcide-p1 was identified by complementing the genomic sequence of a virulent Salmonella phage fmb-p1. Salmcide-p1 of 112 μg ml-1 could quickly kill Salmonella incubated with 100 mmol l-1 EDTA, with no haemolytic activity. Meanwhile, Salmcide-p1 had a high activity of lysing Salmonella cell wall peptidoglycan. At different temperatures (4-75°C), pH (4-11) and NaCl concentration (10-200 mmol l-1 ), the relative activity of Salmcide-p1 was above 60%. At 4°C, the combination of Salmcide-p1 and EDTA-2Na could inhibit the number of Salmonella Typhimurium CMCC 50115 in skim milk to less than 4 log CFU ml-1 by 3 days, and the number of Shigella flexneri CMCC 51571 was lower than 4 log CFU ml-1 by 9 days. CONCLUSIONS Salmcide-p1 had a wide bactericidal activity against gram-negative bacteria and showed a broader anti-Salmonella spectrum than the phage fmb-p1. The combination strategy of Salmcide-p1 and EDTA-2Na could significantly inhibit the growth of gram-negative bacteria inoculated in skim milk. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY Bacteriophage endolysin as an antibacterial agent is considered to be a new strategy against bacterial contamination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Nie
- College of Food Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Fanqiang Meng
- College of Food Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Fengxia Lu
- College of Food Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Xiaomei Bie
- College of Food Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Haizhen Zhao
- College of Food Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Jing Sun
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Nanjing University of Finance and Economics, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Zhaoxin Lu
- College of Food Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Yingjian Lu
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Nanjing University of Finance and Economics, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
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