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Shah S, Das R, Chavan B, Bajpai U, Hanif S, Ahmed S. Beyond antibiotics: phage-encoded lysins against Gram-negative pathogens. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1170418. [PMID: 37789862 PMCID: PMC10542408 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1170418] [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: 02/20/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Antibiotics remain the frontline agents for treating deadly bacterial pathogens. However, the indiscriminate use of these valuable agents has led to an alarming rise in AMR. The antibiotic pipeline is insufficient to tackle the AMR threat, especially with respect to the WHO critical category of priority Gram-negative pathogens, which have become a serious problem as nosocomial and community infections and pose a threat globally. The AMR pandemic requires solutions that provide novel antibacterial agents that are not only effective but against which bacteria are less likely to gain resistance. In this regard, natural or engineered phage-encoded lysins (enzybiotics) armed with numerous features represent an attractive alternative to the currently available antibiotics. Several lysins have exhibited promising efficacy and safety against Gram-positive pathogens, with some in late stages of clinical development and some commercially available. However, in the case of Gram-negative bacteria, the outer membrane acts as a formidable barrier; hence, lysins are often used in combination with OMPs or engineered to overcome the outer membrane barrier. In this review, we have briefly explained AMR and the initiatives taken by different organizations globally to tackle the AMR threat at different levels. We bring forth the promising potential and challenges of lysins, focusing on the WHO critical category of priority Gram-negative bacteria and lysins under investigation for these pathogens, along with the challenges associated with developing them as therapeutics within the existing regulatory framework.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanket Shah
- Techinvention Lifecare Private Limited, Mumbai, India
| | - Ritam Das
- Techinvention Lifecare Private Limited, Mumbai, India
| | - Bhakti Chavan
- Techinvention Lifecare Private Limited, Mumbai, India
| | - Urmi Bajpai
- Department of Biomedical Science, Acharya Narendra Dev College, University of Delhi, New Delhi, India
| | - Sarmad Hanif
- Techinvention Lifecare Private Limited, Mumbai, India
| | - Syed Ahmed
- Techinvention Lifecare Private Limited, Mumbai, India
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2
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Petrzik K. Peptidoglycan Endopeptidase from Novel Adaiavirus Bacteriophage Lyses Pseudomonas aeruginosa Strains as Well as Arthrobacter globiformis and A. pascens Bacteria. Microorganisms 2023; 11:1888. [PMID: 37630448 PMCID: PMC10458142 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11081888] [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: 07/04/2023] [Revised: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
A novel virus lytic for Pseudomonas aeruginosa has been purified. Its viral particles have a siphoviral morphology with a head 60 nm in diameter and a noncontractile tail 184 nm long. The dsDNA genome consists of 16,449 bp, has cohesive 3' termini, and encodes 28 putative proteins in a single strain. The peptidoglycan endopeptidase encoded by ORF 16 was found to be the lytic enzyme of this virus. The recombinant, purified enzyme was active up to 55 °C in the pH range 6-9 against all tested isolates of P. aeruginosa, but, surprisingly, also against the distant Gram-positive micrococci Arthrobacter globiformis and A. pascens. Both this virus and its endolysin are further candidates for possible treatment against P. aeruginosa and probably also other bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karel Petrzik
- Institute of Plant Molecular Biology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Branisovska 1160/31, 370 05 Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
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3
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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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4
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Singh A, Padmesh S, Dwivedi M, Kostova I. How Good are Bacteriophages as an Alternative Therapy to Mitigate Biofilms of Nosocomial Infections. Infect Drug Resist 2022; 15:503-532. [PMID: 35210792 PMCID: PMC8860455 DOI: 10.2147/idr.s348700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2021] [Accepted: 01/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacteria survive on any surface through the generation of biofilms that provide a protective environment to grow as well as making them drug resistant. Extracellular polymeric matrix is a crucial component in biofilm formation. The presence of biofilms consisting of common opportunistic and nosocomial, drug-resistant pathogens has been reported on medical devices like catheters and prosthetics, leading to many complications. Several approaches are under investigation to combat drug-resistant bacteria. Deployment of bacteriophages is one of the promising approaches to invade biofilm that may expose bacteria to the conditions adverse for their growth. Penetration into these biofilms and their destruction by bacteriophages is brought about due to their small size and ability of their progeny to diffuse through the bacterial cell wall. The other mechanisms employed by phages to infect biofilms may include their relocation through water channels to embedded host cells, replication at local sites followed by infection to the neighboring cells and production of depolymerizing enzymes to decompose viscous biofilm matrix, etc. Various research groups are investigating intricacies involved in phage therapy to mitigate the bacterial infection and biofilm formation. Thus, bacteriophages represent a good control over different biofilms and further understanding of phage-biofilm interaction at molecular level may overcome the clinical challenges in phage therapy. The present review summarizes the comprehensive details on dynamic interaction of phages with bacterial biofilms and the role of phage-derived enzymes - endolysin and depolymerases in extenuating biofilms of clinical and medical concern. The methodology employed was an extensive literature search, using several keywords in important scientific databases, such as Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, ScienceDirect, etc. The keywords were also used with Boolean operator "And". More than 250 relevant and recent articles were selected and reviewed to discuss the evidence-based data on the application of phage therapy with recent updates, and related potential challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aditi Singh
- Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University Uttar Pradesh, Lucknow Campus, Lucknow, 226028, India
| | - Sudhakar Padmesh
- Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University Uttar Pradesh, Lucknow Campus, Lucknow, 226028, India
| | - Manish Dwivedi
- Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University Uttar Pradesh, Lucknow Campus, Lucknow, 226028, India
| | - Irena Kostova
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University, Sofia, 1000, Bulgaria
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5
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The Structure and Function of Modular Escherichia coli O157:H7 Bacteriophage FTBEc1 endolysin, LysT84: Defining a New Endolysin Catalytic Subfamily. Biochem J 2021; 479:207-223. [PMID: 34935873 DOI: 10.1042/bcj20210701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2021] [Revised: 12/12/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Bacteriophage endolysins degrade peptidoglycan and have been identified as antibacterial candidates to combat antimicrobial resistance. Considering the catalytic and structural diversity of endolysins, there is a paucity of structural data to inform how these enzymes work at the molecular level-key data that is needed to realize the potential of endolysin-based antibacterial agents. Here, we determine the atomic structure and define the enzymatic function of Escherichia coli O157:H7 phage FTEBc1 endolysin, LysT84. Bioinformatic analysis reveals that LysT84 is a modular endolysin, which is unusual for Gram-negative endolysins, comprising a peptidoglycan binding domain and an enzymatic domain. The crystal structure of LysT84 (2.99 Å) revealed a mostly α-helical protein with two domains connected by a linker region but packed together. LysT84 was determined to be a monomer in solution using analytical ultracentrifugation. Small-angle X-ray scattering data revealed that LysT84 is a flexible protein but does not have the expected bimodal P(r) function of a multidomain protein, suggesting that the domains of LysT84 pack closely creating a globular protein as seen in the crystal structure. Structural analysis reveals two key glutamate residues positioned on either side of the active site cavity; mutagenesis demonstrating these residues are critical for peptidoglycan degradation. Molecular dynamic simulations suggest that the enzymatically active domain is dynamic, allowing the appropriate positioning of these catalytic residues for hydrolysis of the β(1-4) bond. Overall, our study defines the structural basis for peptidoglycan degradation by LysT84 which supports rational engineering of related endolysins into effective antibacterial agents.
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Wang T, Zheng Y, Dai J, Zhou J, Yu R, Zhang C. Design SMAP29-LysPA26 as a Highly Efficient Artilysin against Pseudomonas aeruginosa with Bactericidal and Antibiofilm Activity. Microbiol Spectr 2021; 9:e0054621. [PMID: 34878337 PMCID: PMC8653812 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.00546-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2021] [Accepted: 11/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a major issue to global health. The multidrug-resistant (MDR) Gram-negative infections, particularly infected by carbapenem-resistant pathogens, urgently need efficient antibiotics and novel therapy. However, the scientific challenges of aiming for innovative approaches against Gram-negative bacteria have hindered the research and development of antibiotic drugs. Phage-derived endolysins are bacteriolytic and specific for a bacterial species or genus, providing a promising antibiotic strategy. However, the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria could prevent the peptidoglycan layer from the hydrolysis of endolysins. Antimicrobial peptides usually destabilize the outer membrane and could enhance the antibiotic activity of endolysins. In this study, we designed new artilysins with antimicrobial-peptide SMAP29 fusion at the N-terminal of LysPA26 (named as AL-3AA, AL-9AA, and AL-15AA), and evaluated them. The results showed artilysin AL-3AA to be highly bactericidal; even 0.05 mg/mL AL-3AA could reduce 5.81 log units P. aeruginosa without EDTA in 60 min. It killed P. aeruginosa rapidly and dose-dependently through cell lysis. AL-3AA inhibited P. aeruginosa PAO1 biofilm formation and significantly decreased mature P. aeruginosa biofilms. It also had potential broad-spectrum activity against susceptible Gram-negative bacteria in the hospital, including K. pneumoniae and E. coli. The antibacterial mechanism investigation has provided valuable information about the antibacterial action of AL-3AA, which can lyse and disintegrate the bacterial quickly. These results suggested AL-3AA could be a new and promising antimicrobial agent for the combat of P. aeruginosa. IMPORTANCE Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a major issue to global health, particularly the multidrug-resistant (MDR) Gram-negative infections, which pose great challenges. Even new antibiotics research is ongoing, antibiotics used to treat Gram-negative bacteria in the clinical are limited in a small set of molecular scaffolds, and biomolecular categories of antibiotics are urgently needed. In this study, we designed new proteins by combining antimicrobial peptides and endolysins for synergistic bactericidal effects. One of designed proteins, named AL-3AA, showed highly bactericidal, and killed P. aeruginosa rapidly and dose-dependently through cell lysis. It also killed Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli, showing potential broad-spectrum activity against susceptible Gram-negative bacteria in the hospital. All results suggest AL-3AA could be a new and promising antimicrobial agent for the combat of P. aeruginosa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tingting Wang
- Department of Biopharmaceutics, West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Key Laboratory of Drug-Targeting and Drug Delivery System of the Education Ministry, Sichuan Engineering Laboratory for Plant-Sourced Drug and Sichuan Research Center for Drug Precision Industrial Technology, West China School of Pharmacy Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yongxiang Zheng
- Department of Biopharmaceutics, West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Key Laboratory of Drug-Targeting and Drug Delivery System of the Education Ministry, Sichuan Engineering Laboratory for Plant-Sourced Drug and Sichuan Research Center for Drug Precision Industrial Technology, West China School of Pharmacy Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jiami Dai
- Department of Biopharmaceutics, West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Key Laboratory of Drug-Targeting and Drug Delivery System of the Education Ministry, Sichuan Engineering Laboratory for Plant-Sourced Drug and Sichuan Research Center for Drug Precision Industrial Technology, West China School of Pharmacy Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Junxiu Zhou
- Department of Biopharmaceutics, West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Key Laboratory of Drug-Targeting and Drug Delivery System of the Education Ministry, Sichuan Engineering Laboratory for Plant-Sourced Drug and Sichuan Research Center for Drug Precision Industrial Technology, West China School of Pharmacy Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Rong Yu
- Department of Biopharmaceutics, West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Key Laboratory of Drug-Targeting and Drug Delivery System of the Education Ministry, Sichuan Engineering Laboratory for Plant-Sourced Drug and Sichuan Research Center for Drug Precision Industrial Technology, West China School of Pharmacy Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Chun Zhang
- Department of Biopharmaceutics, West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Key Laboratory of Drug-Targeting and Drug Delivery System of the Education Ministry, Sichuan Engineering Laboratory for Plant-Sourced Drug and Sichuan Research Center for Drug Precision Industrial Technology, West China School of Pharmacy Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
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7
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Krylov V, Bourkaltseva M, Pleteneva E, Shaburova O, Krylov S, Karaulov A, Zhavoronok S, Svitich O, Zverev V. Phage phiKZ-The First of Giants. Viruses 2021; 13:149. [PMID: 33498475 PMCID: PMC7909554 DOI: 10.3390/v13020149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2020] [Revised: 01/15/2021] [Accepted: 01/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The paper covers the history of the discovery and description of phiKZ, the first known giant bacteriophage active on Pseudomonas aeruginosa. It also describes its unique features, especially the characteristic manner of DNA packing in the head around a cylinder-shaped structure ("inner body"), which probably governs an ordered and tight packaging of the phage genome. Important properties of phiKZ-like phages include a wide range of lytic activity and the blue opalescence of their negative colonies, and provide a background for the search and discovery of new P. aeruginosa giant phages. The importance of the phiKZ species and of other giant phage species in practical phage therapy is noted given their broad use in commercial phage preparations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victor Krylov
- I.I. Mechnikov Research Institute of Vaccines & Sera, 105064 Moscow, Russia; (M.B.); (E.P.); (O.S.); (S.K.); (O.S.); (V.Z.)
| | - Maria Bourkaltseva
- I.I. Mechnikov Research Institute of Vaccines & Sera, 105064 Moscow, Russia; (M.B.); (E.P.); (O.S.); (S.K.); (O.S.); (V.Z.)
| | - Elena Pleteneva
- I.I. Mechnikov Research Institute of Vaccines & Sera, 105064 Moscow, Russia; (M.B.); (E.P.); (O.S.); (S.K.); (O.S.); (V.Z.)
| | - Olga Shaburova
- I.I. Mechnikov Research Institute of Vaccines & Sera, 105064 Moscow, Russia; (M.B.); (E.P.); (O.S.); (S.K.); (O.S.); (V.Z.)
| | - Sergey Krylov
- I.I. Mechnikov Research Institute of Vaccines & Sera, 105064 Moscow, Russia; (M.B.); (E.P.); (O.S.); (S.K.); (O.S.); (V.Z.)
| | - Alexander Karaulov
- Department of Clinical Immunology and Allergy, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, 119146 Moscow, Russia;
| | - Sergey Zhavoronok
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Belarusian State Medical University, 220116 Minsk, Belarus;
| | - Oxana Svitich
- I.I. Mechnikov Research Institute of Vaccines & Sera, 105064 Moscow, Russia; (M.B.); (E.P.); (O.S.); (S.K.); (O.S.); (V.Z.)
- Faculty of Preventive Medicine, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, 119146 Moscow, Russia
| | - Vitaly Zverev
- I.I. Mechnikov Research Institute of Vaccines & Sera, 105064 Moscow, Russia; (M.B.); (E.P.); (O.S.); (S.K.); (O.S.); (V.Z.)
- Faculty of Preventive Medicine, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, 119146 Moscow, Russia
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8
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Rai S, Tyagi A, Kalia A, Kumar BTN, Garg P, Singh NK. Characterization and genome sequencing of three Aeromonas hydrophila-specific phages, CF8, PS1, and PS2. Arch Virol 2020; 165:1675-1678. [PMID: 32356184 DOI: 10.1007/s00705-020-04644-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2019] [Accepted: 04/02/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Aeromonas hydrophila is an important finfish pathogen, besides being an opportunistic human pathogen. In the present study, the genomes of three A. hydrophila-specific phages, CF8, PS1, and PS2, were isolated, characterized and sequenced. Transmission electron microscopy showed that all three phages had typical Myoviridae morphology. The linear dsDNA genomes of CF8, PS1, and PS2 were 238,150 bp, 237,367 bp, and 240,447 bp in length, with a GC content of 42.2%, 38.8%, and 38.8%, respectively. The low sequence similarity (67.6% - 69.8% identity with 27.0% - 29.0% query coverage) to other phage genomes in the NCBI database indicated the novel nature of the CF8, PS1, and PS2 genomes. A total of 244, 247, and 250 open reading frames (ORFs) were predicted in the CF8, PS1, and PS2 genome, respectively. During the annotation process, functional predictions were made for 28-31 ORFs, while the rest were classified as "hypothetical proteins" with yet unknown functions. Genes for tRNAs were also detected in all phage genomes. As all three phages in the present study had a very narrow host range with lytic activity against only one strain of A. hydrophila, these phages could be good candidates for phage typing applications. Moreover, the endolysin- and lytic-transglycosylase-encoding genes could be used for recombinant cloning and expression of anti-microbial proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sumeet Rai
- College of Fisheries, Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Ludhiana, Punjab, 141004, India
| | - Anuj Tyagi
- College of Fisheries, Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Ludhiana, Punjab, 141004, India.
| | - Anu Kalia
- Electron Microscopy and Nanoscience Laboratory, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, Punjab, 141004, India
| | - B T Naveen Kumar
- College of Fisheries, Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Ludhiana, Punjab, 141004, India
| | - Prince Garg
- Electron Microscopy and Nanoscience Laboratory, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, Punjab, 141004, India
| | - Niraj K Singh
- School of Animal Biotechnology, Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Ludhiana, Punjab, 141004, India
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9
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Gram-Negative Bacterial Lysins. Antibiotics (Basel) 2020; 9:antibiotics9020074. [PMID: 32054067 PMCID: PMC7168136 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics9020074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2020] [Revised: 02/06/2020] [Accepted: 02/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Antibiotics have had a profound impact on human society by enabling the eradication of otherwise deadly infections. Unfortunately, antibiotic use and overuse has led to the rapid spread of acquired antibiotic resistance, creating a major threat to public health. Novel therapeutic agents called bacteriophage endolysins (lysins) provide a solution to the worldwide epidemic of antibiotic resistance. Lysins are a class of enzymes produced by bacteriophages during the lytic cycle, which are capable of cleaving bonds in the bacterial cell wall, resulting in the death of the bacteria within seconds after contact. Through evolutionary selection of the phage progeny to be released and spread, these lysins target different critical components in the cell wall, making resistance to these molecules orders of magnitude less likely than conventional antibiotics. Such properties make lysins uniquely suitable for the treatment of multidrug resistant bacterial pathogens. Lysins, either naturally occurring or engineered, have the potential of being developed into fast-acting, narrow-spectrum, biofilm-disrupting antimicrobials that act synergistically with standard of care antibiotics. This review focuses on newly discovered classes of Gram-negative lysins with emphasis on prototypical enzymes that have been evaluated for efficacy against the major antibiotic resistant organisms causing nosocomial infections.
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10
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Love MJ, Abeysekera GS, Muscroft-Taylor AC, Billington C, Dobson RC. On the catalytic mechanism of bacteriophage endolysins: Opportunities for engineering. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-PROTEINS AND PROTEOMICS 2020; 1868:140302. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbapap.2019.140302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2019] [Revised: 10/03/2019] [Accepted: 10/10/2019] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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11
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Gondil VS, Harjai K, Chhibber S. Endolysins as emerging alternative therapeutic agents to counter drug-resistant infections. Int J Antimicrob Agents 2019; 55:105844. [PMID: 31715257 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijantimicag.2019.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2019] [Revised: 08/02/2019] [Accepted: 11/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Endolysins are the lytic products of bacteriophages which 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 being considered as alternative therapeutic agents because of their exceptional ability to target bacterial cells when applied externally. Endolysins have been studied against a number of drug-resistant pathogens to assess their therapeutic ability. This review focuses on the structure of endolysins in terms of cell binding and catalytic domains, lytic ability, resistance, safety, immunogenicity and future applications. It primarily reviews recent advancements made in evaluation of the therapeutic potential of endolysins, including their origin, host range, applications, and synergy with conventional and non-conventional antimicrobial agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vijay Singh Gondil
- Department of Microbiology, Basic Medical Sciences, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India
| | - Kusum Harjai
- Department of Microbiology, Basic Medical Sciences, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India
| | - Sanjay Chhibber
- Department of Microbiology, Basic Medical Sciences, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India.
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12
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Jenkins CH, Wallis R, Allcock N, Barnes KB, Richards MI, Auty JM, Galyov EE, Harding SV, Mukamolova GV. The lytic transglycosylase, LtgG, controls cell morphology and virulence in Burkholderia pseudomallei. Sci Rep 2019; 9:11060. [PMID: 31363151 PMCID: PMC6667503 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-47483-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2019] [Accepted: 07/15/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Burkholderia pseudomallei is the causative agent of the tropical disease melioidosis. Its genome encodes an arsenal of virulence factors that allow it, when required, to switch from a soil dwelling bacterium to a deadly intracellular pathogen. With a high intrinsic resistance to antibiotics and the ability to overcome challenges from the host immune system, there is an increasing requirement for new antibiotics and a greater understanding into the molecular mechanisms of B. pseudomallei virulence and dormancy. The peptidoglycan remodeling enzymes, lytic transglycosylases (Ltgs) are potential targets for such new antibiotics. Ltgs cleave the glycosidic bonds within bacterial peptidoglycan allowing for the insertion of peptidoglycan precursors during cell growth and division, and cell membrane spanning structures such as flagella and secretion systems. Using bioinformatic analysis we have identified 8 putative Ltgs in B. pseudomallei K96243. We aimed to investigate one of these Ltgs, LtgG (BPSL3046) through the generation of deletion mutants and biochemical analysis. We have shown that LtgG is a key contributor to cellular morphology, division, motility and virulence in BALB/c mice. We have determined the crystal structure of LtgG and have identified various amino acids likely to be important in peptidoglycan binding and catalytic activity. Recombinant protein assays and complementation studies using LtgG containing a site directed mutation in aspartate 343, confirmed the essentiality of this amino acid in the function of LtgG.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher H Jenkins
- Department of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK. .,Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, Chemical, Biological and Radiological Division, Porton Down, Salisbury, Wiltshire, UK.
| | - Russell Wallis
- Department of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK.,The Leicester Institute of Structural and Chemical Biology, Henry Wellcome Building, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
| | - Natalie Allcock
- Electron Microscopy Facility, Core Biotechnology Services, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
| | - Kay B Barnes
- Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, Chemical, Biological and Radiological Division, Porton Down, Salisbury, Wiltshire, UK
| | - Mark I Richards
- Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, Chemical, Biological and Radiological Division, Porton Down, Salisbury, Wiltshire, UK
| | - Joss M Auty
- Department of Respiratory Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
| | - Edouard E Galyov
- Department of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK.,Department of Genetics and Genome Biology, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
| | - Sarah V Harding
- Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, Chemical, Biological and Radiological Division, Porton Down, Salisbury, Wiltshire, UK.,Department of Respiratory Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
| | - Galina V Mukamolova
- Department of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK. .,Department of Respiratory Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK.
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13
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Broendum SS, Buckle AM, McGowan S. Catalytic diversity and cell wall binding repeats in the phage-encoded endolysins. Mol Microbiol 2018; 110:879-896. [DOI: 10.1111/mmi.14134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/14/2018] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian S. Broendum
- Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology; Monash University; Victoria 3800 Australia
- Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Department of Microbiology; Monash University; Victoria 3800 Australia
| | - Ashley M. Buckle
- Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology; Monash University; Victoria 3800 Australia
| | - Sheena McGowan
- Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Department of Microbiology; Monash University; Victoria 3800 Australia
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14
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Dik DA, Marous DR, Fisher JF, Mobashery S. Lytic transglycosylases: concinnity in concision of the bacterial cell wall. Crit Rev Biochem Mol Biol 2017. [PMID: 28644060 DOI: 10.1080/10409238.2017.1337705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 100] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The lytic transglycosylases (LTs) are bacterial enzymes that catalyze the non-hydrolytic cleavage of the peptidoglycan structures of the bacterial cell wall. They are not catalysts of glycan synthesis as might be surmised from their name. Notwithstanding the seemingly mundane reaction catalyzed by the LTs, their lytic reactions serve bacteria for a series of astonishingly diverse purposes. These purposes include cell-wall synthesis, remodeling, and degradation; for the detection of cell-wall-acting antibiotics; for the expression of the mechanism of cell-wall-acting antibiotics; for the insertion of secretion systems and flagellar assemblies into the cell wall; as a virulence mechanism during infection by certain Gram-negative bacteria; and in the sporulation and germination of Gram-positive spores. Significant advances in the mechanistic understanding of each of these processes have coincided with the successive discovery of new LTs structures. In this review, we provide a systematic perspective on what is known on the structure-function correlations for the LTs, while simultaneously identifying numerous opportunities for the future study of these enigmatic enzymes.
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Affiliation(s)
- David A Dik
- a Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry , University of Notre Dame , Notre Dame , IN , USA
| | - Daniel R Marous
- a Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry , University of Notre Dame , Notre Dame , IN , USA
| | - Jed F Fisher
- a Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry , University of Notre Dame , Notre Dame , IN , USA
| | - Shahriar Mobashery
- a Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry , University of Notre Dame , Notre Dame , IN , USA
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15
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Guo M, Feng C, Ren J, Zhuang X, Zhang Y, Zhu Y, Dong K, He P, Guo X, Qin J. A Novel Antimicrobial Endolysin, LysPA26, against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Front Microbiol 2017; 8:293. [PMID: 28289407 PMCID: PMC5326749 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2017.00293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 102] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2016] [Accepted: 02/13/2017] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The global increase in multidrug resistant (MDR) bacteria has led to phage therapy being refocused upon. A novel endolysin, LysPA26, containing a lysozyme-like domain, was screened against Pseudomonas aeruginosa in this study. It had activity against MDR P. aeruginosa without pretreatment with an outer-membrane permeabilizer. LysPA26 could kill up to 4 log units P. aeruginosa in 30 min. In addition, temperature and pH effect assays revealed that LysPA26 had good stability over a broad range of pH and temperatures. Moreover, LysPA26 could kill other Gram-negative bacteria, such as Klebsiella pneumonia, Acinetobacter baumannii and Escherichia coli, but not Gram-positive bacteria. Furthermore, LysPA26 could eliminate P. aeruginosa in biofilm formation. Our current results show that LysPA26 is a new and promising antimicrobial agent for the combat of Gram-negative pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingquan Guo
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institutes of Medical Science, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineShanghai, China
| | - Chunyan Feng
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Hangzhou Medical CollegeHangzhou, China
| | - Jie Ren
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institutes of Medical Science, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineShanghai, China
| | - Xuran Zhuang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institutes of Medical Science, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineShanghai, China
| | - Yan Zhang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institutes of Medical Science, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineShanghai, China
| | - Yongzhang Zhu
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institutes of Medical Science, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineShanghai, China
| | - Ke Dong
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institutes of Medical Science, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineShanghai, China
| | - Ping He
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institutes of Medical Science, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineShanghai, China
| | - Xiaokui Guo
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institutes of Medical Science, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineShanghai, China
| | - Jinhong Qin
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institutes of Medical Science, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineShanghai, China
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16
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DUF3380 Domain from a Salmonella Phage Endolysin Shows Potent N-Acetylmuramidase Activity. Appl Environ Microbiol 2016; 82:4975-81. [PMID: 27287318 DOI: 10.1128/aem.00446-16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2016] [Accepted: 06/02/2016] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED Bacteriophage-encoded endolysins are highly diverse enzymes that cleave the bacterial peptidoglycan layer. Current research focuses on their potential applications in medicine, in food conservation, and as biotechnological tools. Despite the wealth of applications relying on the use of endolysin, little is known about the enzymatic properties of these enzymes, especially in the case of endolysins of bacteriophages infecting Gram-negative species. Automated genome annotations therefore remain to be confirmed. Here, we report the biochemical analysis and cleavage site determination of a novel Salmonella bacteriophage endolysin, Gp110, which comprises an uncharacterized domain of unknown function (DUF3380; pfam11860) in its C terminus and shows a higher specific activity (34,240 U/μM) than that of 14 previously characterized endolysins active against peptidoglycan from Gram-negative bacteria (corresponding to 1.7- to 364-fold higher activity). Gp110 is a modular endolysin with an optimal pH of enzymatic activity of pH 8 and elevated thermal resistance. Reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) analysis coupled to mass spectrometry showed that DUF3380 has N-acetylmuramidase (lysozyme) activity cleaving the β-(1,4) glycosidic bond between N-acetylmuramic acid and N-acetylglucosamine residues. Gp110 is active against directly cross-linked peptidoglycans with various peptide stem compositions, making it an attractive enzyme for developing novel antimicrobial agents. IMPORTANCE We report the functional and biochemical characterization of the Salmonella phage endolysin Gp110. This endolysin has a modular structure with an enzymatically active domain and a cell wall binding domain. The enzymatic activity of this endolysin exceeds that of all other endolysins previously characterized using the same methods. A domain of unknown function (DUF3380) is responsible for this high enzymatic activity. We report that DUF3380 has N-acetylmuramidase activity against directly cross-linked peptidoglycans with various peptide stem compositions. This experimentally verified activity allows better classification and understanding of the enzymatic activities of endolysins, which mostly are inferred by sequence similarities. Three-dimensional structure predictions for Gp110 suggest a fold that is completely different from that of known structures of enzymes with the same peptidoglycan cleavage specificity, making this endolysin quite unique. All of these features, combined with increased thermal resistance, make Gp110 an attractive candidate for engineering novel endolysin-based antibacterials.
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17
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Wang W, Li M, Lin H, Wang J, Mao X. The Vibrio parahaemolyticus-infecting bacteriophage qdvp001: genome sequence and endolysin with a modular structure. Arch Virol 2016; 161:2645-52. [DOI: 10.1007/s00705-016-2957-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2016] [Accepted: 06/27/2016] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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18
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Basra S, Anany H, Brovko L, Kropinski AM, Griffiths MW. Isolation and characterization of a novel bacteriophage against Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis. Arch Virol 2014; 159:2659-74. [PMID: 24903601 DOI: 10.1007/s00705-014-2122-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2014] [Accepted: 05/13/2014] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP), the causative agent of Johne's disease, has a doubling time of 24 hours, making rapid detection very difficult. Mycobacteriophages can be used in the detection of disease-causing mycobacteria such as MAP. Isolation and sequencing the genomes of lytic MAP bacteriophages are important preliminary steps towards designing phage-based rapid detection assays for this bacterium. A simple optimized protocol was developed to allow reproducible production of confluent growth of MAP on plates within four to six weeks of incubation at 30 °C. This protocol was applied to the screening of environmental and fecal samples for bacteriophages inhibiting the growth of MAP. As a result, a lytic phage, vB_MapS_FF47, was isolated from bovine feces. FF47 contains a double-stranded DNA genome ~48 kb in length with 73 protein coding sequences. It does not carry temperate or known virulence genes. This phage was shown to be most closely related to Mycobacterium phage Muddy, isolated in South Africa, and Gordonia phage GTE2; however, it could not infect any of the tested Gordonia, Rhodococcus, or Nocardia spp. that GTE2 could. The protocols that were developed for growth and phage isolation have potential applications in a high-throughput screening for compounds inhibiting the growth of MAP. This work describes the first time that a phage was isolated against M. paratuberculosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Basra
- Canadian Research Institute for Food Safety, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1, Canada,
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19
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Fothergill JL, Winstanley C, James CE. Novel therapeutic strategies to counterPseudomonas aeruginosainfections. Expert Rev Anti Infect Ther 2014; 10:219-35. [DOI: 10.1586/eri.11.168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
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20
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Pinheiro M, Arêde M, Caio JM, Moiteiro C, Lúcio M, Reis S. Drug–membrane interaction studies applied to N′-acetyl-rifabutin. Eur J Pharm Biopharm 2013; 85:597-603. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejpb.2013.02.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2012] [Revised: 02/06/2013] [Accepted: 02/28/2013] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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21
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Abstract
Phages are recognized as the most abundant and diverse entities on the planet. Their diversity is determined predominantly by their dynamic adaptation capacities when confronted with different selective pressures in an endless cycle of coevolution with a widespread group of bacterial hosts. At the end of the infection cycle, progeny virions are confronted with a rigid cell wall that hinders their release into the environment and the opportunity to start a new infection cycle. Consequently, phages encode hydrolytic enzymes, called endolysins, to digest the peptidoglycan. In this work, we bring to light all phage endolysins found in completely sequenced double-stranded nucleic acid phage genomes and uncover clues that explain the phage-endolysin-host ecology that led phages to recruit unique and specialized endolysins.
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22
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Lew LC, Liong MT. Bioactives from probiotics for dermal health: functions and benefits. J Appl Microbiol 2013; 114:1241-53. [PMID: 23311666 DOI: 10.1111/jam.12137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2012] [Revised: 01/02/2013] [Accepted: 01/03/2013] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Probiotics have been extensively reviewed for decades, emphasizing on improving general gut health. Recently, more studies showed that probiotics may exert other health-promoting effects beyond gut well-being, attributed to the rise of the gut-brain axis correlations. Some of these new benefits include skin health such as improving atopic eczema, atopic dermatitis, healing of burn and scars, skin-rejuvenating properties and improving skin innate immunity. Increasing evidence has also showed that bacterial compounds such as cell wall fragments, their metabolites and dead bacteria can elicit certain immune responses on the skin and improve skin barrier functions. This review aimed to underline the mechanisms or the exact compounds underlying the benefits of bacterial extract on the skin based on evidences from in vivo and in vitro studies. This review could be of help in screening of probiotic strains with potential dermal enhancing properties for topical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- L-C Lew
- School of Industrial Technology, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang, Malaysia
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23
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Abstract
Peptidoglycan (PG) is the major structural component of the bacterial cell wall. Bacteria have autolytic PG hydrolases that allow the cell to grow and divide. A well-studied group of PG hydrolase enzymes are the bacteriophage endolysins. Endolysins are PG-degrading proteins that allow the phage to escape from the bacterial cell during the phage lytic cycle. The endolysins, when purified and exposed to PG externally, can cause "lysis from without." Numerous publications have described how this phenomenon can be used therapeutically as an effective antimicrobial against certain pathogens. Endolysins have a characteristic modular structure, often with multiple lytic and/or cell wall-binding domains (CBDs). They degrade the PG with glycosidase, amidase, endopeptidase, or lytic transglycosylase activities and have been shown to be synergistic with fellow PG hydrolases or a range of other antimicrobials. Due to the coevolution of phage and host, it is thought they are much less likely to invoke resistance. Endolysin engineering has opened a range of new applications for these proteins from food safety to environmental decontamination to more effective antimicrobials that are believed refractory to resistance development. To put phage endolysin work in a broader context, this chapter includes relevant studies of other well-characterized PG hydrolase antimicrobials.
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24
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Sycheva LV, Shneider MM, Sykilinda NN, Ivanova MA, Miroshnikov KA, Leiman PG. Crystal structure and location of gp131 in the bacteriophage phiKZ virion. Virology 2012; 434:257-64. [PMID: 23031178 DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2012.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2012] [Revised: 09/04/2012] [Accepted: 09/06/2012] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Pseudomonas phage ϕKZ and its two close relatives ϕPA3 and 201ϕ2-1 are very large bacteriophages that form a separate branch in phage classification because their genomes are very different from the rest of GenBank sequence data. The contractile tail of ϕKZ is built from at least 32 different proteins, but a definitive structural function is assigned to only one of them-the tail sheath protein. Here, we report the crystal structure of the C-terminal domain of another phiKZ tail protein, gene product 131 (gp131C). We show that gp131 is located at the periphery of the baseplate and possibly associates with fibers that emanate from the baseplate. Gp131C is a seven-bladed β-propeller that has a shape of a skewed toroid. A small but highly conserved and negatively charged patch on the surface of gp131C might be important for substrate binding or for interaction with a different tail protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lada V Sycheva
- École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Laboratory of Structural Biology and Biophysics, BSP-415, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
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25
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Characterization of modular bacteriophage endolysins from Myoviridae phages OBP, 201φ2-1 and PVP-SE1. PLoS One 2012; 7:e36991. [PMID: 22615864 PMCID: PMC3352856 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0036991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2012] [Accepted: 04/11/2012] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Peptidoglycan lytic enzymes (endolysins) induce bacterial host cell lysis in the late phase of the lytic bacteriophage replication cycle. Endolysins OBPgp279 (from Pseudomonas fluorescens phage OBP), PVP-SE1gp146 (Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis phage PVP-SE1) and 201φ2-1gp229 (Pseudomonas chlororaphis phage 201φ2-1) all possess a modular structure with an N-terminal cell wall binding domain and a C-terminal catalytic domain, a unique property for endolysins with a Gram-negative background. All three modular endolysins showed strong muralytic activity on the peptidoglycan of a broad range of Gram-negative bacteria, partly due to the presence of the cell wall binding domain. In the case of PVP-SE1gp146, this domain shows a binding affinity for Salmonella peptidoglycan that falls within the range of typical cell adhesion molecules (K(aff) = 1.26 × 10(6) M(-1)). Remarkably, PVP-SE1gp146 turns out to be thermoresistant up to temperatures of 90 °C, making it a potential candidate as antibacterial component in hurdle technology for food preservation. OBPgp279, on the other hand, is suggested to intrinsically destabilize the outer membrane of Pseudomonas species, thereby gaining access to their peptidoglycan and exerts an antibacterial activity of 1 logarithmic unit reduction. Addition of 0.5 mM EDTA significantly increases the antibacterial activity of the three modular endolysins up to 2-3 logarithmic units reduction. This research work offers perspectives towards elucidation of the structural differences explaining the unique biochemical and antibacterial properties of OBPgp279, PVP-SE1gp146 and 201φ2-1gp229. Furthermore, these endolysins extensively enlarge the pool of potential antibacterial compounds used against multi-drug resistant Gram-negative bacterial infections.
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26
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Thomas JA, Weintraub ST, Wu W, Winkler DC, Cheng N, Steven AC, Black LW. Extensive proteolysis of head and inner body proteins by a morphogenetic protease in the giant Pseudomonas aeruginosa phage φKZ. Mol Microbiol 2012; 84:324-39. [PMID: 22429790 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2958.2012.08025.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Encased within the 280 kb genome in the capsid of the giant myovirus φKZ is an unusual cylindrical proteinaceous 'inner body' of highly ordered structure. We present here mass spectrometry, bioinformatic and biochemical studies that reveal novel information about the φKZ head and the complex inner body. The identification of 39 cleavage sites in 19 φKZ head proteins indicates cleavage of many prohead proteins forms a major morphogenetic step in φKZ head maturation. The φKZ head protease, gp175, is newly identified here by a bioinformatics approach, as confirmed by a protein expression assay. Gp175 is distantly related to T4 gp21 and recognizes and cleaves head precursors at related but distinct S/A/G-X-E recognition sites. Within the φKZ head there are six high-copy-number proteins that are probable major components of the inner body. The molecular weights of five of these proteins are reduced 35-65% by cleavages making their mature form similar (26-31 kDa), while their precursors are dissimilar (36-88 kDa). Together the six abundant proteins sum to the estimated mass of the inner body (15-20 MDa). The identification of these proteins is important for future studies on the composition and function of the inner body.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie A Thomas
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
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27
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Aqueous dispersions of DMPG in low salt contain leaky vesicles. Chem Phys Lipids 2012; 165:169-77. [DOI: 10.1016/j.chemphyslip.2011.12.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2011] [Accepted: 12/13/2011] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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28
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Lim JA, Shin H, Kang DH, Ryu S. Characterization of endolysin from a Salmonella Typhimurium-infecting bacteriophage SPN1S. Res Microbiol 2012; 163:233-41. [PMID: 22289622 DOI: 10.1016/j.resmic.2012.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2011] [Accepted: 01/04/2012] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The full genome sequence of bacteriophage SPN1S, which infects Salmonella, contains genes that encode homologues of holin, endolysin and Rz/Rz1-like accessory proteins, which are 4 phage lysis proteins. The ability of these proteins to lyse Escherichia coli cells when overexpressed was evaluated. In contrast to other endolysins, the expression of endolysin and Rz/Rz1-like proteins was sufficient to cause lysis. The endolysin was tagged with oligohistidine at the N-terminus and purified by affinity chromatography. The endolysin has a lysozyme-like superfamily domain, and its activity was much stronger than that of lysozyme from chicken egg white. We used the chelating agent, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), to increase outer membrane permeability, and it greatly enhanced the lytic activity of SPN1S endolysin. The antimicrobial activity of endolysin was stable over broad pH and temperature ranges and was active from pH 7.0 to 10.5 and from 25 °C to 45 °C. The SPN1S endolysin could kill most of the tested Gram-negative strains, but the Gram-positive strains were resistant. SPN1S endolysin, like lysozyme, cleaves the glycosidic bond of peptidoglycan. These results suggested that SPN1S endolysin has potential as a therapeutic agent against Gram-negative bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeong-A Lim
- Department of Food and Animal Biotechnology, Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Center for Agricultural Biomaterials, and Research Institute for Agriculture and Life Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 151-921, Republic of Korea
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29
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García-Gómez E, Espinosa N, de la Mora J, Dreyfus G, González-Pedrajo B. The muramidase EtgA from enteropathogenic Escherichia coli is required for efficient type III secretion. MICROBIOLOGY-SGM 2011; 157:1145-1160. [PMID: 21233160 DOI: 10.1099/mic.0.045617-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) is an important cause of infectious diarrhoea. It colonizes human intestinal epithelial cells by delivering effector proteins into the host cell cytoplasm via a type III secretion system (T3SS) encoded within the chromosomal locus of enterocyte effacement (LEE). The LEE pathogenicity island also encodes a lytic transglycosylase (LT) homologue named EtgA. In the present work we investigated the significance of EtgA function in type III secretion (T3S). Purified recombinant EtgA was found to have peptidoglycan lytic activity in vitro. Consistent with this function, signal peptide processing and bacterial cell fractionation revealed that EtgA is a periplasmic protein. EtgA possesses the conserved glutamate characteristic of the LT family, and we show here that it is essential for enzymic activity. Overproduction of EtgA in EPEC inhibits bacterial growth and induces cell lysis unless the predicted catalytic glutamate is mutated. An etgA mutant is attenuated for T3S, red blood cell haemolysis and EspA filamentation. BfpH, a plasmid-encoded putative LT, was not able to functionally replace EtgA. Overall, our results indicate that the muramidase activity of EtgA is not critical but makes a significant contribution to the efficiency of the T3S process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth García-Gómez
- Departamento de Genética Molecular, Instituto de Fisiología Celular, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, México, D.F., 04510, Mexico
| | - Norma Espinosa
- Departamento de Genética Molecular, Instituto de Fisiología Celular, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, México, D.F., 04510, Mexico
| | - Javier de la Mora
- Departamento de Genética Molecular, Instituto de Fisiología Celular, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, México, D.F., 04510, Mexico
| | - Georges Dreyfus
- Departamento de Genética Molecular, Instituto de Fisiología Celular, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, México, D.F., 04510, Mexico
| | - Bertha González-Pedrajo
- Departamento de Genética Molecular, Instituto de Fisiología Celular, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, México, D.F., 04510, Mexico
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30
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Kurochkina LP, Aksyuk AA, Sachkova MY, Sykilinda NN, Mesyanzhinov VV. Characterization of tail sheath protein of giant bacteriophage phiKZ Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Virology 2009; 395:312-7. [PMID: 19822340 DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2009.09.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2009] [Accepted: 09/12/2009] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The tail sheath protein of giant bacteriophage phiKZ Pseudomonas aeruginosa encoded by gene 29 was identified and its expression system was developed. Localization of the protein on the virion was confirmed by immunoelectron microscopy. Properties of gene product (gp) 29 were studied by electron microscopy, immunoblotting and limited trypsinolysis. Recombinant gp29 assembles into the regular tubular structures (polysheaths) of variable length. Trypsin digestion of gp29 within polysheaths or extended sheath of virion results in specific cleavage of the peptide bond between Arg135 and Asp136. However, this cleavage does not affect polymeric structure of polysheaths, sheaths and viral infectivity. Digestion by trypsin of the C-truncated gp29 mutant, lacking the ability to self-assemble, results in formation of a stable protease-resistant fragment. Although there is no sequence homology of phiKZ proteins to proteins of other bacteriophages, some characteristic biochemical properties of gp29 revealed similarities to the tail sheath protein of bacteriophage T4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lidia P Kurochkina
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, ul. Miklukho-Maklaya 16/10, Moscow 117997, Russia.
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31
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Biophysical studies of the interactions between the phage varphiKZ gp144 lytic transglycosylase and model membranes. EUROPEAN BIOPHYSICS JOURNAL: EBJ 2009; 39:263-76. [PMID: 19669132 DOI: 10.1007/s00249-009-0530-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2009] [Revised: 07/14/2009] [Accepted: 07/22/2009] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
The use of naturally occurring lytic bacteriophage proteins as specific antibacterial agents is a promising way to treat bacterial infections caused by antibiotic-resistant pathogens. The opportunity to develop bacterial resistance to these agents is minimized by their broad mechanism of action on bacterial membranes and peptidoglycan integrity. In the present study, we have investigated lipid interactions of the gp144 lytic transglycosylase from the Pseudomonas aeruginosa phage varphiKZ. Interactions with zwitterionic lipids characteristic of eukaryotic cells and with anionic lipids characteristic of bacterial cells were studied using fluorescence, solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance, Fourier transform infrared, circular dichroism, Langmuir monolayers, and Brewster angle microscopy (BAM). Gp144 interacted preferentially with anionic lipids, and the presence of gp144 in anionic model systems induced membrane disruption and lysis. Lipid domain formation in anionic membranes was observed by BAM. Gp144 did not induce disruption of zwitterionic membranes but caused an increase in rigidity of the lipid polar head group. However, gp144 interacted with zwitterionic and anionic lipids in a model membrane system containing both lipids. Finally, the gp144 secondary structure was not significantly modified upon lipid binding.
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Lecoutere E, Ceyssens PJ, Miroshnikov KA, Mesyanzhinov VV, Krylov VN, Noben JP, Robben J, Hertveldt K, Volckaert G, Lavigne R. Identification and comparative analysis of the structural proteomes of ϕKZ and EL, two giant Pseudomonas aeruginosa
bacteriophages. Proteomics 2009; 9:3215-9. [DOI: 10.1002/pmic.200800727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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Briers Y, Miroshnikov K, Chertkov O, Nekrasov A, Mesyanzhinov V, Volckaert G, Lavigne R. The structural peptidoglycan hydrolase gp181 of bacteriophage φKZ. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2008; 374:747-51. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2008.07.102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2008] [Accepted: 07/22/2008] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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Briers Y, Volckaert G, Cornelissen A, Lagaert S, Michiels CW, Hertveldt K, Lavigne R. Muralytic activity and modular structure of the endolysins of Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteriophages phiKZ and EL. Mol Microbiol 2008; 65:1334-44. [PMID: 17697255 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2958.2007.05870.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 138] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteriophage endolysins KZ144 (phage phiKZ) and EL188 (phage EL) are highly lytic peptidoglycan hydrolases (210 000 and 390 000 units mg(-1)), active on a broad range of outer membrane-permeabilized Gram-negative species. Site-directed mutagenesis indicates E115 (KZ144) and E155 (EL188) as their respective essential catalytic residues. Remarkably, both endolysins have a modular structure consisting of an N-terminal substrate-binding domain and a predicted C-terminal catalytic module, a property previously only demonstrated in endolysins originating from phages infecting Gram-positives and only in an inverse arrangement. Both binding domains contain conserved repeat sequences, consistent with those of some peptidoglycan hydrolases of Gram-positive bacteria. Fusions of these domains with green fluorescent protein immediately label all outer membrane-permeabilized Gram-negative bacteria tested, isolated P. aeruginosa peptidoglycan and N-acetylated Bacillus subtilis peptidoglycan, demonstrating the broad range of peptidoglycan-binding capacity by these domains. Specifically, A1 chemotype peptidoglycan and fully N-acetylated glucosamine units are essential for binding. Both KZ144 and EL188 appear to be a natural chimeric enzyme, originating from a recombination of a cell wall-binding domain encoded by a Bacillus or Clostridium species and a catalytic domain of an unknown ancestor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yves Briers
- Division of Gene Technology, Department of Biosystems, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 21, B-3001 Leuven, Belgium.
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Thomas JA, Rolando MR, Carroll CA, Shen PS, Belnap DM, Weintraub ST, Serwer P, Hardies SC. Characterization of Pseudomonas chlororaphis myovirus 201varphi2-1 via genomic sequencing, mass spectrometry, and electron microscopy. Virology 2008; 376:330-8. [PMID: 18474389 DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2008.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2007] [Revised: 01/28/2008] [Accepted: 04/02/2008] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Pseudomonas chlororaphis phage 201varphi2-1 is a relative of Pseudomonas aeruginosa myovirus phiKZ. Phage 201 phi2-1 was examined by complete genomic sequencing (316,674 bp), by a comprehensive mass spectrometry survey of its virion proteins and by electron microscopy. Seventy-six proteins, of which at least 69 have homologues in phiKZ, were identified by mass spectrometry. Eight proteins, in addition to the major head, tail sheath and tail tube proteins, are abundant in the virion. Electron microscopy of 201 phi2-1 revealed a multitude of long, fine fibers apparently decorating the tail sheath protein. Among the less abundant virion proteins are three homologues to RNA polymerase beta or beta' subunits. Comparison between the genomes of 201 phi2-1 and phiKZ revealed substantial conservation of the genome plan, and a large region with an especially high rate of gene replacement. The phiKZ-like phages exhibited a two-fold higher rate of divergence than for T4-like phages or host genomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie A Thomas
- Department of Biochemistry, The University of Texas Health Science Center, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, Texas 78229-3900, USA
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Fokine A, Miroshnikov KA, Shneider MM, Mesyanzhinov VV, Rossmann MG. Structure of the Bacteriophage φKZ Lytic Transglycosylase gp144. J Biol Chem 2008; 283:7242-50. [DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m709398200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
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