1
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Sanz-Gaitero M, De Maesschalck V, Patel A, Longin H, Van Noort V, Rodriguez-Rubio L, van Ryne M, Danis-Wlodarczyk K, Drulis-Kawa Z, Mesnage S, van Raaij M, Lavigne R. Structural and Biochemical Characterization of a New Phage-Encoded Muramidase, KTN6 Gp46. PHAGE (NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y.) 2024; 5:53-62. [PMID: 39119210 PMCID: PMC11304755 DOI: 10.1089/phage.2023.0040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/10/2024]
Abstract
Background Endolysins are phage-encoded lytic enzymes that degrade bacterial peptidoglycan at the end of phage lytic cycles to release new phage particles. These enzymes are being explored as an alternative to small-molecule antibiotics. Methods The crystal structure of KTN6 Gp46 was determined and compared with a ColabFold model. Cleavage specificity was examined using a peptidoglycan digest and reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (HPLC/MS). Results The structure of KTN6 Gp46 could be determined at 1.4 Å resolution, and key differences in loops of the putative peptidoglycan binding domain were identified in comparison with its closest known homologue, the endolysin of phage SPN1S. Reversed-phase HPLC/MS analysis of the reaction products following peptidoglycan digestion confirmed the muramidase activity of Gp46, consistent with structural predictions. Conclusion These insights into the structure and function of endolysins further expand the toolbox for endolysin engineering and explore their potential in enzyme-based antibacterial design strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Sanz-Gaitero
- Centro Nacional de Biotecnologia, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Biological Sciences, Munster Technological University, Cork, Ireland
| | | | - Ankur Patel
- School of Biosciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Hannelore Longin
- Laboratory of Gene Technology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Laboratory of Computational Systems Biology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Vera Van Noort
- Laboratory of Computational Systems Biology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | | | | | - Katarzyna Danis-Wlodarczyk
- Laboratory of Gene Technology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, University of Wroclaw, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Zuzanna Drulis-Kawa
- Department of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, University of Wroclaw, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Stephane Mesnage
- School of Biosciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Mark van Raaij
- Centro Nacional de Biotecnologia, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas, Madrid, Spain
| | - Rob Lavigne
- Laboratory of Gene Technology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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2
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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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3
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Zheng T, Zhang C. Engineering strategies and challenges of endolysin as an antibacterial agent against Gram-negative bacteria. Microb Biotechnol 2024; 17:e14465. [PMID: 38593316 PMCID: PMC11003714 DOI: 10.1111/1751-7915.14465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2024] [Revised: 03/09/2024] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Bacteriophage endolysin is a novel antibacterial agent that has attracted much attention in the prevention and control of drug-resistant bacteria due to its unique mechanism of hydrolysing peptidoglycans. Although endolysin exhibits excellent bactericidal effects on Gram-positive bacteria, the presence of the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria makes it difficult to lyse them extracellularly, thus limiting their application field. To enhance the extracellular activity of endolysin and facilitate its crossing through the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria, researchers have adopted physical, chemical, and molecular methods. This review summarizes the characterization of endolysin targeting Gram-negative bacteria, strategies for endolysin modification, and the challenges and future of engineering endolysin against Gram-negative bacteria in clinical applications, to promote the application of endolysin in the prevention and control of Gram-negative bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianyu Zheng
- Bathurst Future Agri‐Tech InstituteQingdao Agricultural UniversityQingdaoChina
| | - Can Zhang
- College of Veterinary MedicineQingdao Agricultural UniversityQingdaoChina
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4
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Sisson HM, Jackson SA, Fagerlund RD, Warring SL, Fineran PC. Gram-negative endolysins: overcoming the outer membrane obstacle. Curr Opin Microbiol 2024; 78:102433. [PMID: 38350268 DOI: 10.1016/j.mib.2024.102433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2023] [Revised: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/15/2024]
Abstract
Our ability to control the growth of Gram-negative bacterial pathogens is challenged by rising antimicrobial resistance and requires new approaches. Endolysins are phage-derived enzymes that degrade peptidoglycan and therefore offer potential as antimicrobial agents. However, the outer membrane (OM) of Gram-negative bacteria impedes the access of externally applied endolysins to peptidoglycan. This review highlights recent advances in the discovery and characterization of natural endolysins that can breach the OM, as well as chemical and engineering approaches that increase antimicrobial efficacy of endolysins against Gram-negative pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hazel M Sisson
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand; Genetics Otago, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand; Bioprotection Aotearoa, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand
| | - Simon A Jackson
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand; Genetics Otago, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand; Bioprotection Aotearoa, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand; Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand
| | - Robert D Fagerlund
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand; Genetics Otago, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand; Bioprotection Aotearoa, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand; Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand
| | - Suzanne L Warring
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand; Genetics Otago, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand
| | - Peter C Fineran
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand; Genetics Otago, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand; Bioprotection Aotearoa, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand; Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand.
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5
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Sisson HM, Fagerlund RD, Jackson SA, Briers Y, Warring SL, Fineran PC. Antibacterial synergy between a phage endolysin and citric acid against the Gram-negative kiwifruit pathogen Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae. Appl Environ Microbiol 2024; 90:e0184623. [PMID: 38319087 PMCID: PMC10952447 DOI: 10.1128/aem.01846-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 02/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Horticultural diseases caused by bacterial pathogens provide an obstacle to crop production globally. Management of the infection of kiwifruit by the Gram-negative phytopathogen Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae (Psa) currently includes copper and antibiotics. However, the emergence of bacterial resistance and a changing regulatory landscape are providing the impetus to develop environmentally sustainable antimicrobials. One potential strategy is the use of bacteriophage endolysins, which degrade peptidoglycan during normal phage replication, causing cell lysis and the release of new viral progeny. Exogenous use of endolysins as antimicrobials is impaired by the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria that provides an impermeable barrier and prevents endolysins from accessing their target peptidoglycan. Here, we describe the synergy between citric acid and a phage endolysin, which results in a reduction of viable Psa below detection. We show that citric acid drives the destabilization of the outer membrane via acidification and sequestration of divalent cations from the lipopolysaccharide, which is followed by the degradation of the peptidoglycan by the endolysin. Scanning electron microscopy revealed clear morphological differences, indicating cell lysis following the endolysin-citric acid treatment. These results show the potential for citric acid-endolysin combinations as a possible antimicrobial approach in agricultural applications. IMPORTANCE The phytopathogen Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae (Psa) causes major impacts to kiwifruit horticulture, and the current control strategies are heavily reliant on copper and antibiotics. The environmental impact and increasing resistance to these agrichemicals are driving interest in alternative antimicrobials including bacteriophage-derived therapies. In this study, we characterize the endolysin from the Otagovirus Psa374 which infects Psa. When combined with citric acid, this endolysin displays an impressive antibacterial synergy to reduce viable Psa below the limit of detection. The use of citric acid as a synergistic agent with endolysins has not been extensively studied and has never been evaluated against a plant pathogen. We determined that the synergy involved a combination of the chelation activity of citric acid, acidic pH, and the specific activity of the ΦPsa374 endolysin. Our study highlights an exciting opportunity for alternative antimicrobials in agriculture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hazel M. Sisson
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
- Bioprotection Aotearoa, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Robert D. Fagerlund
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
- Bioprotection Aotearoa, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
- Genetics Otago, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
- Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Simon A. Jackson
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
- Bioprotection Aotearoa, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
- Genetics Otago, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
- Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Yves Briers
- Laboratory of Applied Biotechnology, Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Suzanne L. Warring
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Peter C. Fineran
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
- Bioprotection Aotearoa, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
- Genetics Otago, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
- Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
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6
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Blanco FG, Machatschek R, Keller M, Hernández-Arriaga AM, Godoy MS, Tarazona NA, Prieto MA. Nature-inspired material binding peptides with versatile polyester affinities and binding strengths. Int J Biol Macromol 2023; 253:126760. [PMID: 37683751 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.126760] [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: 06/17/2023] [Revised: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023]
Abstract
Biodegradable polyesters, such as polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), are having a tremendous impact on biomedicine. However, these polymers lack functional moieties to impart functions like targeted delivery of molecules. Inspired by native GAPs, such as phasins and their polymer-binding and surfactant properties, we generated small material binding peptides (MBPs) for polyester surface functionalization using a rational approach based on amphiphilicity. Here, two peptides of 48 amino acids derived from phasins PhaF and PhaI from Pseudomonas putida, MinP and the novel-designed MinI, were assessed for their binding towards two types of PHAs, PHB and PHOH. In vivo, fluorescence studies revealed selective binding towards PHOH, whilst in vitro binding experiments using the Langmuir-Blodgett technique coupled to ellipsometry showed KD in the range of nM for all polymers and MBPs. Marked morphological changes of the polymer surface upon peptide adsorption were shown by BAM and AFM for PHOH. Moreover, both MBPs were successfully used to immobilize cargo proteins on the polymer surfaces. Altogether, this work shows that by redesigning the amphiphilicity of phasins, a high affinity but lower specificity to polyesters can be achieved in vitro. Furthermore, the MBPs demonstrated binding to PET, showing potential to bind cargo molecules also to synthetic polyesters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisco G Blanco
- Polymer Biotechnology Group, Plant and Microbial Biotechnology Department, Margarita Salas Centre for Biological Research (CIB - CSIC), Madrid, Spain; Interdisciplinary Platform of Sustainable Plastics towards a Circular Economy, Spanish National Research Council (SusPlast-CSIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Rainhard Machatschek
- Institute of Active Polymers, Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon, Kantstraße 55, 14513 Teltow, Germany
| | - Manuela Keller
- Institute of Active Polymers, Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon, Kantstraße 55, 14513 Teltow, Germany
| | - Ana M Hernández-Arriaga
- Polymer Biotechnology Group, Plant and Microbial Biotechnology Department, Margarita Salas Centre for Biological Research (CIB - CSIC), Madrid, Spain; Interdisciplinary Platform of Sustainable Plastics towards a Circular Economy, Spanish National Research Council (SusPlast-CSIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Manuel S Godoy
- Polymer Biotechnology Group, Plant and Microbial Biotechnology Department, Margarita Salas Centre for Biological Research (CIB - CSIC), Madrid, Spain; Interdisciplinary Platform of Sustainable Plastics towards a Circular Economy, Spanish National Research Council (SusPlast-CSIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Natalia A Tarazona
- Institute of Active Polymers, Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon, Kantstraße 55, 14513 Teltow, Germany.
| | - M Auxiliadora Prieto
- Polymer Biotechnology Group, Plant and Microbial Biotechnology Department, Margarita Salas Centre for Biological Research (CIB - CSIC), Madrid, Spain; Interdisciplinary Platform of Sustainable Plastics towards a Circular Economy, Spanish National Research Council (SusPlast-CSIC), Madrid, Spain.
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7
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Carratalá JV, Arís A, Garcia-Fruitós E, Ferrer-Miralles N. Design strategies for positively charged endolysins: Insights into Artilysin development. Biotechnol Adv 2023; 69:108250. [PMID: 37678419 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2023.108250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2023] [Revised: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023]
Abstract
Endolysins are bacteriophage-encoded enzymes that can specifically degrade the peptidoglycan layer of bacterial cell wall, making them an attractive tool for the development of novel antibacterial agents. The use of genetic engineering techniques for the production and modification of endolysins offers the opportunity to customize their properties and activity against specific bacterial targets, paving the way for the development of personalized therapies for bacterial infections. Gram-negative bacteria possess an outer membrane that can hinder the action of recombinantly produced endolysins. However, certain endolysins are capable of crossing the outer membrane by virtue of segments that share properties resembling those of cationic peptides. These regions increase the affinity of the endolysin towards the bacterial surface and assist in the permeabilization of the membrane. In order to improve the bactericidal effectiveness of endolysins, approaches have been implemented to increase their net charge, including the development of Artilysins containing positively charged amino acids at one end. At present, there are no specific guidelines outlining the steps for implementing these modifications. There is an ongoing debate surrounding the optimal location of positive charge, the need for a linker region, and the specific amino acid composition of peptides for modifying endolysins. The aim of this study is to provide clarity on these topics by analyzing and comparing the most effective modifications found in previous literature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jose Vicente Carratalá
- Department of Ruminant Production, Institute of Agriculture and Agrifood Research and Technology (IRTA), Caldes de Montbui, 08140 Barcelona, Spain; Institute for Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain; Department of Genetics and Microbiology, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain; Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine Networking Biomedical Research Centre (CIBER-BBN), C/Monforte de Lemos 3-5, 28029 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Anna Arís
- Department of Ruminant Production, Institute of Agriculture and Agrifood Research and Technology (IRTA), Caldes de Montbui, 08140 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Elena Garcia-Fruitós
- Department of Ruminant Production, Institute of Agriculture and Agrifood Research and Technology (IRTA), Caldes de Montbui, 08140 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Neus Ferrer-Miralles
- Institute for Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain; Department of Genetics and Microbiology, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain; Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine Networking Biomedical Research Centre (CIBER-BBN), C/Monforte de Lemos 3-5, 28029 Madrid, Spain
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8
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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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Szadkowska M, Olewniczak M, Kloska A, Jankowska E, Kapusta M, Rybak B, Wyrzykowski D, Zmudzinska W, Gieldon A, Kocot A, Kaczorowska AK, Nierzwicki L, Makowska J, Kaczorowski T, Plotka M. A Novel Cryptic Clostridial Peptide That Kills Bacteria by a Cell Membrane Permeabilization Mechanism. Microbiol Spectr 2022; 10:e0165722. [PMID: 36094301 PMCID: PMC9602519 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.01657-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
This work reports detailed characteristics of the antimicrobial peptide Intestinalin (P30), which is derived from the LysC enzyme of Clostridium intestinale strain URNW. The peptide shows a broader antibacterial spectrum than the parental enzyme, showing potent antimicrobial activity against clinical strains of Gram-positive staphylococci and Gram-negative pathogens and causing between 3.04 ± 0.12 log kill for Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 and 7.10 ± 0.05 log kill for multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii KPD 581 at a 5 μM concentration. Moreover, Intestinalin (P30) prevents biofilm formation and destroys 24-h and 72-h biofilms formed by Acinetobacter baumannii CRAB KPD 205 (reduction levels of 4.28 and 2.62 log CFU/mL, respectively). The activity of Intestinalin is combined with both no cytotoxicity and little hemolytic effect against mammalian cells. The nuclear magnetic resonance and molecular dynamics (MD) data show a high tendency of Intestinalin to interact with the bacterial phospholipid cell membrane. Although positively charged, Intestinalin resides in the membrane and aggregates into small oligomers. Negatively charged phospholipids stabilize peptide oligomers to form water- and ion-permeable pores, disrupting the integrity of bacterial cell membranes. Experimental data showed that Intestinalin interacts with negatively charged lipoteichoic acid (logK based on isothermal titration calorimetry, 7.45 ± 0.44), causes membrane depolarization, and affects membrane integrity by forming large pores, all of which result in loss of bacterial viability. IMPORTANCE Antibiotic resistance is rising rapidly among pathogenic bacteria, becoming a global public health problem that threatens the effectiveness of therapies for many infectious diseases. In this respect, antimicrobial peptides appear to be an interesting alternative to combat bacterial pathogens. Here, we report the characteristics of an antimicrobial peptide (of 30 amino acids) derived from the clostridial LysC enzyme. The peptide showed killing activity against clinical strains of Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogens. Experimental data and computational modeling showed that this peptide forms transmembrane pores, directly engaging the negatively charged phospholipids of the bacterial cell membrane. Consequently, dissipation of the electrochemical gradient across cell membranes affects many vital processes, such as ATP synthesis, motility, and transport of nutrients. This kind of dysfunction leads to the loss of bacterial viability. Our firm conviction is that the presented study will be a helpful resource in searching for novel antimicrobial peptides that could have the potential to replace conventional antibiotics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monika Szadkowska
- Laboratory of Extremophiles Biology, Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Michal Olewniczak
- Department of Physical Chemistry, Gdansk University of Technology, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Anna Kloska
- Department of Medical Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Elzbieta Jankowska
- Department of Biomedical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Malgorzata Kapusta
- Department of Plant Cytology and Embryology, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Bartosz Rybak
- Department of Environmental Toxicology, Faculty of Health Sciences with Institute of Maritime and Tropical Medicine, Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Dariusz Wyrzykowski
- Department of General and Inorganic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Wioletta Zmudzinska
- Laboratory of Biopolymer Structure, Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Gdansk and Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Artur Gieldon
- Laboratory of Simulation of Polymers, Department of Theoretical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Aleksandra Kocot
- Laboratory of Extremophiles Biology, Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Anna-Karina Kaczorowska
- Collection of Plasmids and Microorganisms, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Lukasz Nierzwicki
- Department of Physical Chemistry, Gdansk University of Technology, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Joanna Makowska
- Department of General and Inorganic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Tadeusz Kaczorowski
- Laboratory of Extremophiles Biology, Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Magdalena Plotka
- Laboratory of Extremophiles Biology, Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland
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10
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Improvement of the Antibacterial Activity of Phage Lysin-Derived Peptide P87 through Maximization of Physicochemical Properties and Assessment of Its Therapeutic Potential. Antibiotics (Basel) 2022; 11:antibiotics11101448. [PMID: 36290106 PMCID: PMC9598152 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics11101448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2022] [Revised: 10/16/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Phage lysins are a promising alternative to common antibiotic chemotherapy. However, they have been regarded as less effective against Gram-negative pathogens unless engineered, e.g., by fusing them to antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). AMPs themselves pose an alternative to antibiotics. In this work, AMP P87, previously derived from a phage lysin (Pae87) with a presumed nonenzymatic mode-of-action, was investigated to improve its antibacterial activity. Five modifications were designed to maximize the hydrophobic moment and net charge, producing the modified peptide P88, which was evaluated in terms of bactericidal activity, cytotoxicity, MICs or synergy with antibiotics. P88 had a better bactericidal performance than P87 (an average of 6.0 vs. 1.5 log-killing activity on Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains treated with 10 µM). This did not correlate with a dramatic increase in cytotoxicity as assayed on A549 cell cultures. P88 was active against a range of P. aeruginosa isolates, with no intrinsic resistance factors identified. Synergy with some antibiotics was observed in vitro, in complex media, and in a respiratory infection mouse model. Therefore, P88 can be a new addition to the therapeutic toolbox of alternative antimicrobials against Gram-negative pathogens as a sole therapeutic, a complement to antibiotics, or a part to engineer proteinaceous antimicrobials.
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