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Nakonieczna A, Topolska-Woś A, Łobocka M. New bacteriophage-derived lysins, LysJ and LysF, with the potential to control Bacillus anthracis. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2024; 108:76. [PMID: 38194144 PMCID: PMC10776502 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-023-12839-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2023] [Revised: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2024]
Abstract
Bacillus anthracis is an etiological agent of anthrax, a severe zoonotic disease that can be transmitted to people and cause high mortalities. Bacteriophages and their lytic enzymes, endolysins, have potential therapeutic value in treating infections caused by this bacterium as alternatives or complements to antibiotic therapy. They can also be used to identify and detect B. anthracis. Endolysins of two B. anthracis Wbetavirus phages, J5a and F16Ba which were described by us recently, differ significantly from the best-known B. anthracis phage endolysin PlyG from Wbetavirus genus bacteriophage Gamma and a few other Wbetavirus genus phages. They are larger than PlyG (351 vs. 233 amino acid residues), contain a signal peptide at their N-termini, and, by prediction, have a different fold of cell binding domain suggesting different structural basis of cell epitope recognition. We purified in a soluble form the modified versions of these endolysins, designated by us LysJ and LysF, respectively, and depleted of signal peptides. Both modified endolysins could lyse the B. anthracis cell wall in zymogram assays. Their activity against the living cells of B. anthracis and other species of Bacillus genus was tested by spotting on the layers of bacteria in soft agar and by assessing the reduction of optical density of bacterial suspensions. Both methods proved the effectiveness of LysJ and LysF in killing the anthrax bacilli, although the results obtained by each method differed. Additionally, the lytic efficiency of both proteins was different, which apparently correlates with differences in their amino acid sequence. KEY POINTS: • LysJ and LysF are B. anthracis-targeting lysins differing from lysins studied so far • LysJ and LysF could be overproduced in E. coli in soluble and active forms • LysJ and LysF are active in killing cells of B. anthracis virulent strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandra Nakonieczna
- Military Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Biological Threats Identification and Countermeasure Center, 24-100, Puławy, Poland.
| | | | - Małgorzata Łobocka
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics of the Polish Academy of Sciences, 02-106, Warsaw, Poland
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Nakonieczna A, Abramowicz K, Kwiatek M, Kowalczyk E. Lysins as a powerful alternative to combat Bacillus anthracis. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2024; 108:366. [PMID: 38850320 PMCID: PMC11162388 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-024-13194-3] [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: 02/09/2024] [Revised: 05/14/2024] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/10/2024]
Abstract
This review gathers all, to the best of our current knowledge, known lysins, mainly bacteriophage-derived, that have demonstrated activity against Bacillus anthracis strains. B. anthracis is a spore-forming, toxin-producing bacteria, naturally dwelling in soil. It is best known as a potential biowarfare threat, an etiological agent of anthrax, and a severe zoonotic disease. Anthrax can be treated with antibiotics (ciprofloxacin, penicillin, doxycycline); however, their administration may take up even to 60 days, and different factors can compromise their effectiveness. Bacterial viruses, bacteriophages (phages), are natural enemies of bacteria and use their lytic enzymes, endolysins (lysins), to specifically kill bacterial cells. Harnessing the potential of lysins to combat bacterial infections holds promise for diminishing antibiotic usage and, consequently, addressing the escalating antibiotic resistance in bacteria. In this context, we list the lysins with the activity against B. anthracis, providing a summary of their lytic properties in vitro and the outcomes observed in animal models. Bacillus cereus strain ATCC 4342/RSVF1, a surrogate for B. anthracis, was also included as a target bacteria. KEY POINTS: • More than a dozen different B. anthracis lysins have been identified and studied. • They fall into three blocks regarding their amino acid sequence similarity and most of them are amidases. • Lysins could be used in treating B. anthracis infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandra Nakonieczna
- Military Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Biological Threats Identification and Countermeasure Center, Puławy, 24-100, Poland.
| | - Karolina Abramowicz
- Military Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Biological Threats Identification and Countermeasure Center, Puławy, 24-100, Poland
| | - Magdalena Kwiatek
- Military Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Biological Threats Identification and Countermeasure Center, Puławy, 24-100, Poland
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Li L, Zhang H, Jin H, Guo J, Liu P, Yang J, Wang Z, Zhang E, Yu B, Shi L, He J, Wang P, Wei J, Zhong Y, Li W. Identification and characterization of two Bacillus anthracis bacteriophages. Arch Virol 2024; 169:134. [PMID: 38834736 DOI: 10.1007/s00705-024-06005-7] [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: 10/08/2023] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 06/06/2024]
Abstract
Anthrax is an acute infectious zoonotic disease caused by Bacillus anthracis, a bacterium that is considered a potential biological warfare agent. Bacillus bacteriophages shape the composition and evolution of bacterial communities in nature and therefore have important roles in the ecosystem community. B. anthracis phages are not only used in etiological diagnostics but also have promising prospects in clinical therapeutics or for disinfection in anthrax outbreaks. In this study, two temperate B. anthracis phages, vB_BanS_A16R1 (A16R1) and vB_BanS_A16R4 (A16R4), were isolated and showed siphovirus-like morphological characteristics. Genome sequencing showed that the genomes of phages A16R1 and A16R4 are 36,569 bp and 40,059 bp in length, respectively. A16R1 belongs to the genus Wbetavirus, while A16R4 belongs to the genus Hubeivirus and is the first phage of that genus found to lyse B. anthracis. Because these two phages can comparatively specifically lyse B. anthracis, they could be used as alternative diagnostic tools for identification of B. anthracis infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lun Li
- Yunnan Institute for Endemic Disease Control and Prevention, Dali, China
- Yunnan Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Control and Prevention, Dali, China
- School of Public Health, Dali University, Dali, China
- National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention (ICDC), China CDC, Beijing, China
- National Key Laboratory of Intelligent Tracking and Forecasting for Infectious Diseases, Beijing, China
| | - Huijuan Zhang
- National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention (ICDC), China CDC, Beijing, China
- National Key Laboratory of Intelligent Tracking and Forecasting for Infectious Diseases, Beijing, China
| | - Haixiao Jin
- National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention (ICDC), China CDC, Beijing, China
- National Key Laboratory of Intelligent Tracking and Forecasting for Infectious Diseases, Beijing, China
| | - Jin Guo
- National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention (ICDC), China CDC, Beijing, China
- National Key Laboratory of Intelligent Tracking and Forecasting for Infectious Diseases, Beijing, China
| | - Pan Liu
- Yunnan Institute for Endemic Disease Control and Prevention, Dali, China
- Yunnan Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Control and Prevention, Dali, China
| | - Jiao Yang
- Yunnan Institute for Endemic Disease Control and Prevention, Dali, China
- Yunnan Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Control and Prevention, Dali, China
| | - Zijian Wang
- Yunnan Institute for Endemic Disease Control and Prevention, Dali, China
- Yunnan Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Control and Prevention, Dali, China
| | - Enmin Zhang
- National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention (ICDC), China CDC, Beijing, China
- National Key Laboratory of Intelligent Tracking and Forecasting for Infectious Diseases, Beijing, China
| | - Binbin Yu
- Yunnan Institute for Endemic Disease Control and Prevention, Dali, China
- Yunnan Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Control and Prevention, Dali, China
| | - Liyuan Shi
- Yunnan Institute for Endemic Disease Control and Prevention, Dali, China
- Yunnan Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Control and Prevention, Dali, China
| | - Jinrong He
- National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention (ICDC), China CDC, Beijing, China
- National Key Laboratory of Intelligent Tracking and Forecasting for Infectious Diseases, Beijing, China
| | - Peng Wang
- Yunnan Institute for Endemic Disease Control and Prevention, Dali, China
- Yunnan Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Control and Prevention, Dali, China
| | - Jianchun Wei
- National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention (ICDC), China CDC, Beijing, China
- National Key Laboratory of Intelligent Tracking and Forecasting for Infectious Diseases, Beijing, China
| | - Youhong Zhong
- Yunnan Institute for Endemic Disease Control and Prevention, Dali, China.
- Yunnan Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Control and Prevention, Dali, China.
| | - Wei Li
- National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention (ICDC), China CDC, Beijing, China.
- National Key Laboratory of Intelligent Tracking and Forecasting for Infectious Diseases, Beijing, China.
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Mursalin MH, Astley R, Coburn PS, Bagaruka E, Hunt JJ, Fischetti VA, Callegan MC. Therapeutic potential of Bacillus phage lysin PlyB in ocular infections. mSphere 2023; 8:e0004423. [PMID: 37273201 PMCID: PMC10449515 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00044-23] [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: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacteriophage lytic enzymes (i.e., phage lysins) are a trending alternative for general antibiotics to combat growing antimicrobial resistance. Gram-positive Bacillus cereus causes one of the most severe forms of intraocular infection, often resulting in complete vision loss. It is an inherently β-lactamase-resistant organism that is highly inflammogenic in the eye, and antibiotics are not often beneficial as the sole therapeutic option for these blinding infections. The use of phage lysins as a treatment for B. cereus ocular infection has never been tested or reported. In this study, the phage lysin PlyB was tested in vitro, demonstrating rapid killing of vegetative B. cereus but not its spores. PlyB was also highly group specific and effectively killed the bacteria in various bacterial growth conditions, including ex vivo rabbit vitreous (Vit). Furthermore, PlyB demonstrated no cytotoxic or hemolytic activity toward human retinal cells or erythrocytes and did not trigger innate activation. In in vivo therapeutic experiments, PlyB was effective in killing B. cereus when administered intravitreally in an experimental endophthalmitis model and topically in an experimental keratitis model. In both models of ocular infection, the effective bactericidal property of PlyB prevented pathological damage to ocular tissues. Thus, PlyB was found to be safe and effective in killing B. cereus in the eye, greatly improving an otherwise devastating outcome. Overall, this study demonstrates that PlyB is a promising therapeutic option for B. cereus eye infections.IMPORTANCEEye infections from antibiotic-resistant Bacillus cereus are devastating and can result in blindness with few available treatment options. Bacteriophage lysins are an alternative to conventional antibiotics with the potential to control antibiotic-resistant bacteria. This study demonstrates that a lysin called PlyB can effectively kill B. cereus in two models of B. cereus eye infections, thus treating and preventing the blinding effects of these infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Huzzatul Mursalin
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA
| | - Roger Astley
- Dean McGee Eye Institute, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA
| | - Phillip S. Coburn
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA
- Dean McGee Eye Institute, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA
| | - Eddy Bagaruka
- Oklahoma Christian University, Edmond, Oklahoma, USA
| | | | - Vincent A. Fischetti
- Laboratory of Bacterial Pathogenesis and Immunology, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Michelle C. Callegan
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA
- Dean McGee Eye Institute, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA
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Hasan M, Dawan J, Ahn J. Assessment of the potential of phage-antibiotic synergy to induce collateral sensitivity in Salmonella Typhimurium. Microb Pathog 2023; 180:106134. [PMID: 37150310 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2023.106134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2023] [Revised: 04/29/2023] [Accepted: 05/01/2023] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
This study was designed to evaluate the synergistic effect of phage and antibiotic on the induction of collateral sensitivity in Salmonella Typhimurium. The synergistic effects of Salmonella phage PBST32 combined with ciprofloxacin (CIP) against S. Typhimurium KCCM 40253 (STKCCM) were evaluated using a fractional inhibitory concentration (FIC) assay. The CIP susceptibility of STKCCM was increased when combined with PBST32, showing 16-fold decrease at 7 log PFU/mL. The combination of 1/2 × MIC of CIP and PBST32 (CIP[1/2]+PBST32) effectively inhibited the growth of STKCCM up to below the detection limit (1.3 log CFU/mL) after 12 h of incubation at 37 °C. The significant reduction in bacterial swimming motility was observed for PBST32 and CIP[1/4]+PBST32. The CIP[1/4]+PBST32 increased the fitness cost (relative fitness = 0.57) and decreased the cross-resistance to different classes of antibiotics. STKCCM treated with PBST32 alone treatment exhibited the highest coefficient of variation (90%), followed by CIP[1/4]+PBST32 (75%). These results suggest that the combination of PBST32 and CIP can be used to control bacterial pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahadi Hasan
- Department of Biomedical Science, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Gangwon, 24341, Republic of Korea
| | - Jirapat Dawan
- Department of Biomedical Science, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Gangwon, 24341, Republic of Korea
| | - Juhee Ahn
- Department of Biomedical Science, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Gangwon, 24341, Republic of Korea; Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Gangwon, 24341, Republic of Korea.
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Oh J, Warner M, Ambler JE, Schuch R. The Lysin Exebacase Has a Low Propensity for Resistance Development in Staphylococcus aureus and Suppresses the Emergence of Resistance to Antistaphylococcal Antibiotics. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0526122. [PMID: 36862002 PMCID: PMC10100934 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.05261-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Exebacase (CF-301) belongs to a novel class of protein-based antibacterial agents, called lysins (peptidoglycan hydrolases). Exebacase exhibits potent antistaphylococcal activity and is the first lysin to initiate clinical trials in the United States. To support clinical development, the potential for resistance development to exebacase was assessed over 28 days of serial daily subculture in the presence of increasing concentrations of the lysin performed in its reference broth medium. Exebacase MICs remained unchanged over serial subculture for three replicates each of methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) strain ATCC 29213 and methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) strain MW2. For comparator antibiotics also tested, oxacillin MICs increased by 32-fold with ATCC 29213 and daptomycin and vancomycin MICs increased by 16- and 8-fold, respectively, with MW2. Serial passage was also used to examine the capacity of exebacase to suppress selection for increased oxacillin, daptomycin, and vancomycin MICs when used together in combination, wherein daily exposures to increasing concentrations of antibiotic were performed over 28 days with the added presence of fixed sub-MIC amounts of exebacase. Exebacase suppressed increases in antibiotic MICs over this period. These findings are consistent with a low propensity for resistance to exebacase and an added benefit of reducing the potential for development of antibiotic resistance. IMPORTANCE To guide development of an investigational new antibacterial drug, microbiological data are required to understand the potential for development of resistance to the drug in the target organism(s). Exebacase is a lysin (peptidoglycan hydrolase) that represents a novel antimicrobial modality based on degradation of the cell wall of Staphylococcus aureus. Exebacase resistance was examined here using an in vitro serial passage method that assesses the impact of daily exposures to increasing concentrations of exebacase over 28 days in medium approved for use in exebacase antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI). No changes in susceptibility to exebacase were observed over the 28-day period for multiple replicates of two S. aureus strains, indicating a low propensity for resistance development. Interestingly, while high-level resistance to commonly used antistaphylococcal antibiotics was readily obtained using the same method, the added presence of exebacase acted to suppress antibiotic resistance development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Oh
- ContraFect Corporation, Yonkers, New York, USA
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Evidence of a Set of Core-Function Genes in 16 Bacillus Podoviral Genomes with Considerable Genomic Diversity. Viruses 2023; 15:v15020276. [PMID: 36851489 PMCID: PMC9965433 DOI: 10.3390/v15020276] [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: 12/14/2022] [Revised: 01/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacteriophage genomes represent an enormous level of genetic diversity and provide considerable potential to acquire new insights about viral genome evolution. In this study, the genome sequences of sixteen Bacillus-infecting bacteriophages were explored through comparative genomics approaches to reveal shared and unique characteristics. These bacteriophages are in the Salasmaviridae family with small (18,548-27,206 bp) double-stranded DNA genomes encoding 25-46 predicted open reading frames. We observe extensive nucleotide and amino acid sequence divergence among a set of core-function genes that present clear synteny. We identify two examples of sequence directed recombination within essential genes, as well as explore the expansion of gene content in these genomes through the introduction of novel open reading frames. Together, these findings highlight the complex evolutionary relationships of phage genomes that include old, common origins as well as new components introduced through mosaicism.
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Matharoo K, Chua J, Park JR, Ingavale S, Jelacic TM, Jurkouich KM, Compton JR, Meinig JM, Chabot D, Friedlander AM, Legler PM. Engineering an Fc-Fusion of a Capsule Degrading Enzyme for the Treatment of Anthrax. ACS Infect Dis 2022; 8:2133-2148. [PMID: 36102590 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.2c00227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Polymers of d-glutamic acid (PDGA) form the capsule of the highly virulent Ames strain of B. anthracis. PDGA is antiphagocytic and weakly immunogenic; it enables the bacteria to evade the innate immune responses. CapD is an enzyme that catalyzes the covalent anchoring of PDGA. CapD is an Ntn-amido hydrolase that utilizes an internal Thr-352 as its nucleophile and general acid and base. An internal cleavage produces a free N-terminal Thr-352 and a short and long polypeptide chain. The chains were circularly permuted (CP) to move Thr-352 to the N-terminus of the polypeptide. We previously showed that a branched PEG-CapDS334C-CP could protect mice (80% survival) against a 5 LD50 challenge with B. anthracis Ames without the use of antibiotics, monoclonals, or vaccines. In attempts to improve the in vivo circulation time of CapD and enhance its avidity to its polymeric substrate, an Fc-domain of a mouse IgG1 was fused to CapDS334C-CP and the linker length and sequence were optimized. The resulting construct, Fc-CapDS334C-CP, then was pegylated with a linear 2 kDa mPEG at S334C to produce mPEG-Fc-CapDS334C-CP. Interestingly, the fusion of the Fc-domain and incorporation of the S334C mutation imparted acid stability, but slightly reduced the kcat (∼ 2-fold lower). In vivo, the measured protein concentration in sera was higher for the Fc-fusion constructs compared to the mPEG-Fc-CapDS334C-CP. However, the exposure calculated from measured sera enzymatic activity was higher for the mPEG-CapDS334C-CP. The pegylated Fc-fusion was less active than the PEG-CapDS334C-CP, but detectable in sera at 24 h by immunoblot. Here we describe the engineering of a soluble, active, pegylated Fc-fusion of B. anthracis CapD (mPEG-Fc-CapD-CP) with activity in vitro, in serum, and on encapsulated bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khushie Matharoo
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia 22904, United States
| | - Jennifer Chua
- United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States
| | - Junyoung R Park
- West Springfield High School, Springfield, Virginia 22152, United States
| | - Susham Ingavale
- United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States
| | - Tanya M Jelacic
- United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States
| | - Kayla M Jurkouich
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio 44106, United States
| | - Jaimee R Compton
- Center for Bio/Molecular Science and Engineering, U.S. Naval Research Laboratories, Washington, D.C. 20375, United States
| | - J Matthew Meinig
- United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States
| | - Donald Chabot
- United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States
| | - Arthur M Friedlander
- United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States
| | - Patricia M Legler
- Center for Bio/Molecular Science and Engineering, U.S. Naval Research Laboratories, Washington, D.C. 20375, United States
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A Lysozyme Murein Hydrolase with Broad-Spectrum Antibacterial Activity from Enterobacter Phage myPSH1140. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2022; 66:e0050622. [PMID: 35950843 PMCID: PMC9487488 DOI: 10.1128/aac.00506-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacteriophages and bacteriophage-derived peptidoglycan hydrolases (endolysins) present promising alternatives for the treatment of infections caused by multidrug resistant Gram-negative and Gram-positive pathogens. In this study, Gp105, a putative lysozyme murein hydrolase from Enterobacter phage myPSH1140 was characterized in silico, in vitro as well as in vivo using the purified protein. Gp105 contains a T4-type lysozyme-like domain (IPR001165) and belongs to Glycoside hydrolase family 24 (IPR002196). The putative endolysin indeed had strong antibacterial activity against Gram-negative pathogens, including E. cloacae, K. pneumoniae, P. aeruginosa, S. marcescens, Citrobacter sp., and A. baumannii. Also, an in vitro peptidoglycan hydrolysis assay showed strong activity against purified peptidoglycans. This study demonstrates the potential of Gp105 to be used as an antibacterial protein to combat Gram-negative pathogens.
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Getting Outside the Cell: Versatile Holin Strategies Used by Distinct Phages to Leave Their Bacillus thuringiensis Host. J Virol 2022; 96:e0069622. [PMID: 35758660 PMCID: PMC9327680 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00696-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Holins are small transmembrane proteins involved in the final stage of the lytic cycle of double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) phages. They cooperate with endolysins to achieve bacterial lysis, thereby releasing the phage progeny into the extracellular environment. Besides their role as membrane permeabilizers, allowing endolysin transfer and/or activation, holins also regulate the lysis timing. In this work, we provide functional characterization of the holins encoded by three phages targeting the Bacillus cereus group. The siphovirus Deep-Purple has a lysis cassette in which holP30 and holP33 encode two proteins displaying holin properties, including a transmembrane domain. The holin genes were expressed in Escherichia coli and induced bacterial lysis, with HolP30 being more toxic than HolP33. In Bacillus thuringiensis, the simultaneous expression of both holins was necessary to observe lysis, suggesting that they may interact to form functional pores. The myoviruses Deep-Blue and Vp4 both encode a single candidate holin (HolB and HolV, respectively) with two transmembrane domains, whose genes are not located near the endolysin genes. Their function as holin proteins was confirmed as their expression in E. coli impaired cell growth and viability. The HolV expression in B. thuringiensis also led to bacterial lysis, which was enhanced by coexpressing the holin with its cognate endolysin. Despite similar organizations and predicted topologies, truncated mutants of the HolB and HolV proteins showed different toxicity levels, suggesting that differences in amino acid composition influence their lysis properties. IMPORTANCE The phage life cycle ends with the host cell lysis, thereby releasing new virions into the environment for the next round of bacterial infection. Nowadays, there is renewed interest in phages as biocontrol agents, primarily due to their ability to cause bacterial death through lysis. While endolysins, which mediate peptidoglycan degradation, have been fairly well described, the pore-forming proteins, referred to as holins, have been extensively characterized in only a few model phages, mainly infecting Gram-negative bacteria. In this work, we characterized the holins encoded by a siphovirus and two myoviruses targeting members of the Gram-positive Bacillus cereus group, which comprises closely related species, including the well-known Bacillus anthracis, B. cereus sensu stricto, and Bacillus thuringiensis. Overall, this paper provides the first experimental characterization of holins encoded by B. cereus phages and reveals versatile lysis mechanisms used by these phages.
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11
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Arroyo-Moreno S, Cummings M, Corcoran DB, Coffey A, McCarthy RR. Identification and characterization of novel endolysins targeting Gardnerella vaginalis biofilms to treat bacterial vaginosis. NPJ Biofilms Microbiomes 2022; 8:29. [PMID: 35440653 PMCID: PMC9018826 DOI: 10.1038/s41522-022-00285-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2021] [Accepted: 03/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a recurrent dysbiosis that is frequently associated with preterm birth, increased risk for acquisition of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). The overgrowth of a key pathobiont, Gardnerella vaginalis, as a recalcitrant biofilm is central to the development of this dysbiosis. Overgrowth of vaginal biofilms, seeded by initial G. vaginalis colonization, leads to recurrent symptomatic BV which is poorly resolved by classically used antibiotics. In this light, the use of bacteriophages and/or their proteins, represents a promising alternative. Here we identify 84 diverse anti-Gardnerella endolysins across 7 protein families. A subset of 36 endolysin candidates were refactored and overexpressed in an E. coli BL21 (DE3) system and 5 biochemically and structurally diverse endolysins were fully characterized. Each candidate endolysin showed good lytic activity against planktonic G. vaginalis ATCC14018, as well as G. vaginalis clinical isolates. These endolysin candidates were assayed in biofilm prevention and disruption assays, with biofilm disruption at low microgram concentrations (5 μg/ml) observed. In addition to clonal G. vaginalis biofilms, endolysin candidates could also successfully disrupt polyspecies biofilms. Importantly, none of our candidates showed lytic activity against commensal lactobacilli present in the vaginal microbiota such as L. crispatus, L. jensenii, L. gasseri, and L. iners or against Atopobium vaginae (currently classified as Fannyhessa vaginae). The potency and selectivity of these novel endolysins constitute a promising alternative treatment to combat BV, avoiding problems associated with antibiotic resistance, while retaining beneficial commensal bacteria in the vaginal flora. The diverse library of candidates reported here represents a strong repository of endolysins for further preclinical development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Arroyo-Moreno
- Division of Biosciences, Department of Life Sciences, College of Health and Life Sciences, Brunel University London, Uxbridge, UB8 3PH, UK
- Department of Biological Sciences, Munster Technological University, Cork, Ireland
| | | | | | - Aidan Coffey
- Department of Biological Sciences, Munster Technological University, Cork, Ireland
| | - Ronan R McCarthy
- Division of Biosciences, Department of Life Sciences, College of Health and Life Sciences, Brunel University London, Uxbridge, UB8 3PH, UK.
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12
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Schuch R, Cassino C, Vila-Farres X. Direct Lytic Agents: Novel, Rapidly Acting Potential Antimicrobial Treatment Modalities for Systemic Use in the Era of Rising Antibiotic Resistance. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:841905. [PMID: 35308352 PMCID: PMC8928733 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.841905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 01/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Direct lytic agents (DLAs) are novel antimicrobial compounds with unique mechanisms of action based on rapid cell wall destabilization and bacteriolysis. DLAs include two classes of purified polypeptides—lysins (peptidoglycan hydrolase enzymes) and amurins (outer membrane targeting peptides). Their intended use is to kill bacteria in a manner that is complimentary to and synergistic with traditional antibiotics without selection for DLA resistance. Lysins were originally described as having activity against Gram-positive pathogens and of those, exebacase, is the first to have advanced into Phase 3 of clinical development. Recently, both engineered and native DLAs have now been described with potent bactericidal activity against a range of Gram-negative pathogens, including multidrug-resistant (MDR) and extensively drug-resistant (XDR) Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Acinetobacter baumannii. Importantly, novel DLAs targeting Gram-negatives, including the lysin CF-370 and the amurin peptides, are active in biological matrices (blood/serum) and, as such, offer promise for therapeutic use as systemically administered agents for the treatment of life-threatening invasive infections. In this review, DLAs are discussed as potential new classes of antimicrobial biologics that can be used to treat serious systemic infections.
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13
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Optimization of Propidium Monoazide qPCR (Viability-qPCR) to Quantify the Killing by the Gardnerella-Specific Endolysin PM-477, Directly in Vaginal Samples from Women with Bacterial Vaginosis. Antibiotics (Basel) 2022; 11:antibiotics11010111. [PMID: 35052988 PMCID: PMC8773202 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics11010111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2021] [Revised: 01/10/2022] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Quantification of the number of living cells in biofilm or after eradication treatments of biofilm, is problematic for different reasons. We assessed the performance of pre-treatment of DNA, planktonic cells and ex vivo vaginal biofilms of Gardnerella with propidium monoazide (PMAxx) to prevent qPCR-based amplification of DNA from killed cells (viability-qPCR). Standard PMAxx treatment did not completely inactivate free DNA and did not affect living cells. While culture indicated that killing of planktonic cells by heat or by endolysin was complete, viability-qPCR assessed only log reductions of 1.73 and 0.32, respectively. Therefore, we improved the standard protocol by comparing different (combinations of) parameters, such as concentration of PMAxx, and repetition, duration and incubation conditions of treatment. The optimized PMAxx treatment condition for further experiments consisted of three cycles, each of: 15 min incubation on ice with 50 µM PMAxx, followed by 15 min-long light exposure. This protocol was validated for use in vaginal samples from women with bacterial vaginosis. Up to log2.2 reduction of Gardnerella cells after treatment with PM-477 was documented, despite the complex composition of the samples, which might have hampered the activity of PM-477 as well as the quantification of low loads by viability-qPCR.
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14
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Danis-Wlodarczyk KM, Wozniak DJ, Abedon ST. Treating Bacterial Infections with Bacteriophage-Based Enzybiotics: In Vitro, In Vivo and Clinical Application. Antibiotics (Basel) 2021; 10:1497. [PMID: 34943709 PMCID: PMC8698926 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics10121497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2021] [Revised: 11/23/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Over the past few decades, we have witnessed a surge around the world in the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. This global health threat arose mainly due to the overuse and misuse of antibiotics as well as a relative lack of new drug classes in development pipelines. Innovative antibacterial therapeutics and strategies are, therefore, in grave need. For the last twenty years, antimicrobial enzymes encoded by bacteriophages, viruses that can lyse and kill bacteria, have gained tremendous interest. There are two classes of these phage-derived enzymes, referred to also as enzybiotics: peptidoglycan hydrolases (lysins), which degrade the bacterial peptidoglycan layer, and polysaccharide depolymerases, which target extracellular or surface polysaccharides, i.e., bacterial capsules, slime layers, biofilm matrix, or lipopolysaccharides. Their features include distinctive modes of action, high efficiency, pathogen specificity, diversity in structure and activity, low possibility of bacterial resistance development, and no observed cross-resistance with currently used antibiotics. Additionally, and unlike antibiotics, enzybiotics can target metabolically inactive persister cells. These phage-derived enzymes have been tested in various animal models to combat both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, and in recent years peptidoglycan hydrolases have entered clinical trials. Here, we review the testing and clinical use of these enzymes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Daniel J. Wozniak
- Department of Microbial Infection and Immunity, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA;
- Department of Microbiology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA;
| | - Stephen T. Abedon
- Department of Microbiology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA;
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15
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Rahman MU, Wang W, Sun Q, Shah JA, Li C, Sun Y, Li Y, Zhang B, Chen W, Wang S. Endolysin, a Promising Solution against Antimicrobial Resistance. Antibiotics (Basel) 2021; 10:1277. [PMID: 34827215 PMCID: PMC8614784 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics10111277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2021] [Revised: 10/14/2021] [Accepted: 10/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global crisis for human public health which threatens the effective prevention and control of ever-increasing infectious diseases. The advent of pandrug-resistant bacteria makes most, if not all, available antibiotics invalid. Meanwhile, the pipeline of novel antibiotics development stagnates, which prompts scientists and pharmacists to develop unconventional antimicrobials. Bacteriophage-derived endolysins are cell wall hydrolases which could hydrolyze the peptidoglycan layer from within and outside of bacterial pathogens. With high specificity, rapid action, high efficiency, and low risk of resistance development, endolysins are believed to be among the best alternative therapeutic agents to treat multidrug resistant (MDR) bacteria. As of now, endolysins have been applied to diverse aspects. In this review, we comprehensively introduce the structures and activities of endolysins and summarize the latest application progress of recombinant endolysins in the fields of medical treatment, pathogen diagnosis, food safety, and agriculture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mujeeb ur Rahman
- Key Laboratory of Resources Biology and Biotechnology in Western China, Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi’an 710069, China; (M.u.R.); (Q.S.); (C.L.); (Y.S.); (Y.L.)
| | - Weixiao Wang
- Clinical Research Center, The Second Hospital of Nanjing, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210003, China;
| | - Qingqing Sun
- Key Laboratory of Resources Biology and Biotechnology in Western China, Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi’an 710069, China; (M.u.R.); (Q.S.); (C.L.); (Y.S.); (Y.L.)
| | - Junaid Ali Shah
- College of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, China;
| | - Chao Li
- Key Laboratory of Resources Biology and Biotechnology in Western China, Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi’an 710069, China; (M.u.R.); (Q.S.); (C.L.); (Y.S.); (Y.L.)
| | - Yanmei Sun
- Key Laboratory of Resources Biology and Biotechnology in Western China, Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi’an 710069, China; (M.u.R.); (Q.S.); (C.L.); (Y.S.); (Y.L.)
| | - Yuanrui Li
- Key Laboratory of Resources Biology and Biotechnology in Western China, Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi’an 710069, China; (M.u.R.); (Q.S.); (C.L.); (Y.S.); (Y.L.)
| | - Bailing Zhang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, China;
| | - Wei Chen
- Clinical Research Center, The Second Hospital of Nanjing, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210003, China;
| | - Shiwei Wang
- Key Laboratory of Resources Biology and Biotechnology in Western China, Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi’an 710069, China; (M.u.R.); (Q.S.); (C.L.); (Y.S.); (Y.L.)
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16
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Ho MKY, Zhang P, Chen X, Xia J, Leung SSY. Bacteriophage endolysins against gram-positive bacteria, an overview on the clinical development and recent advances on the delivery and formulation strategies. Crit Rev Microbiol 2021; 48:303-326. [PMID: 34478359 DOI: 10.1080/1040841x.2021.1962803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Facing the increasing threat of multi-drug antimicrobial resistance (AMR), humans strive to search for antibiotic drug candidates and antibacterial alternatives from all possible places, from soils in remote areas to deep in the sea. In this "gold rush for antibacterials," researchers turn to the natural enemy of bacterial cells, bacteriophage (phages), and find them a rich source of weapons for AMR bacteria. Endolysins (lysins), the enzymes phages use to break the bacterial cells from within, have been shown to be highly selective and efficient in killing their target bacteria from outside while maintaining a low occurrence of bacterial resistance. In this review, we start with the structures and mechanisms of action of lysins against Gram-positive (GM+) bacteria. The developmental history of lysins is also outlined. Then, we detail the latest preclinical and clinical research on their safety and efficacy against GM+ bacteria, focusing on the formulation strategies of these enzymes. Finally, the challenges and potential hurdles are discussed. Notwithstanding these limitations, the trends in development indicate that the first, approved lysin drugs will be available soon in the near future. Overall, this review presents a timely summary of the current progress on lysins as antibacterial enzymes for AMR GM+ bacteria, and provides a guidebook for biomaterial researchers who are dedicating themselves to the battle against bacterial infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Kai Yuen Ho
- School of Pharmacy, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Pengfei Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Xi Chen
- Department of Chemistry, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Jiang Xia
- Department of Chemistry, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
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17
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Loganathan A, Manohar P, Eniyan K, VinodKumar CS, Leptihn S, Nachimuthu R. Phage therapy as a revolutionary medicine against Gram-positive bacterial infections. BENI-SUEF UNIVERSITY JOURNAL OF BASIC AND APPLIED SCIENCES 2021; 10:49. [PMID: 34485539 PMCID: PMC8401357 DOI: 10.1186/s43088-021-00141-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2021] [Accepted: 08/17/2021] [Indexed: 02/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Antibiotic resistance among pathogenic bacteria has created a global emergency, prompting the hunt for an alternative cure. Bacteriophages were discovered over a century ago and have proven to be a successful replacement during antibiotic treatment failure. This review discusses on the scientific investigation of phage therapy for Gram-positive pathogens and general outlook of phage therapy clinical trials and commercialization. MAIN BODY OF THE ABSTRACT This review aimed to highlight the phage therapy in Gram-positive bacteria and the need for phage therapy in the future. Phage therapy to treat Gram-positive bacterial infections is in use for a very long time. However, limited review on the phage efficacy in Gram-positive bacteria exists. The natural efficiency and potency of bacteriophages against bacterial strains have been advantageous amidst the other non-antibiotic agents. The use of phages to treat oral biofilm, skin infection, and recurrent infections caused by Gram-positive bacteria has emerged as a predominant research area in recent years. In addition, the upsurge in research in the area of phage therapy for spore-forming Gram-positive bacteria has added a wealth of information to phage therapy. SHORT CONCLUSION We conclude that the need of phage as an alternative treatment is obvious in future. However, phage therapy can be used as reserve treatment. This review focuses on the potential use of phage therapy in treating Gram-positive bacterial infections, as well as their therapeutic aspects. Furthermore, we discussed the difficulties in commercializing phage drugs and their problems as a breakthrough medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Archana Loganathan
- School of Bioscience and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), Vellore, Tamil Nadu India
| | - Prasanth Manohar
- Zhejiang University-University of Edinburgh (ZJU-UoE) Institute, Zhejiang University, School of Medicine, Haining, 314400 Zhejiang People’s Republic of China
- School of Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital Zhejiang University (SAHZU), Hangzhou, Zhejiang People’s Republic of China
| | - Kandasamy Eniyan
- School of Bioscience and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), Vellore, Tamil Nadu India
| | - C. S. VinodKumar
- Department of Microbiology, S.S. Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Davanagere, India
| | - Sebastian Leptihn
- Zhejiang University-University of Edinburgh (ZJU-UoE) Institute, Zhejiang University, School of Medicine, Haining, 314400 Zhejiang People’s Republic of China
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China
- Infection Medicine, Biomedical Sciences, Edinburgh Medical School, College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, The University of Edinburgh, 1 George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9JZ UK
| | - Ramesh Nachimuthu
- School of Bioscience and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), Vellore, Tamil Nadu India
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18
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Abraha HB, Kim K, Sbhatu DB. Bacteriophages for detection and control of foodborne bacterial pathogens—The case of
Bacillus cereus
and their phages. J Food Saf 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/jfs.12906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Haftom Baraki Abraha
- Department of Food Science and Technology Jeonbuk National University Jeonju Republic of Korea
| | - Kwang‐Pyo Kim
- Department of Food Science and Technology Jeonbuk National University Jeonju Republic of Korea
- Department of Agricultural Convergence Technology Collage of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Jeonbuk National University Jeonju Republic of Korea
| | - Desta Berhe Sbhatu
- Department of Biological and Chemical Engineering Mekelle Institute of Technology, Mekelle University Mekelle Ethiopia
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19
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Grabowski Ł, Łepek K, Stasiłojć M, Kosznik-Kwaśnicka K, Zdrojewska K, Maciąg-Dorszyńska M, Węgrzyn G, Węgrzyn A. Bacteriophage-encoded enzymes destroying bacterial cell membranes and walls, and their potential use as antimicrobial agents. Microbiol Res 2021; 248:126746. [PMID: 33773329 DOI: 10.1016/j.micres.2021.126746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2020] [Revised: 03/06/2021] [Accepted: 03/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Appearance of pathogenic bacteria resistant to most, if not all, known antibiotics is currently one of the most significant medical problems. Therefore, development of novel antibacterial therapies is crucial for efficient treatment of bacterial infections in the near future. One possible option is to employ enzymes, encoded by bacteriophages, which cause destruction of bacterial cell membranes and walls. Bacteriophages use such enzymes to destroy bacterial host cells at the final stage of their lytic development, in order to ensure effective liberation of progeny virions. Nevertheless, to use such bacteriophage-encoded proteins in medicine and/or biotechnology, it is crucial to understand details of their biological functions and biochemical properties. Therefore, in this review article, we will present and discuss our current knowledge on the processes of bacteriophage-mediated bacterial cell lysis, with special emphasis on enzymes involved in them. Regulation of timing of the lysis is also discussed. Finally, possibilities of the practical use of these enzymes as antibacterial agents will be underlined and perspectives of this aspect will be presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Łukasz Grabowski
- Laboratory of Phage Therapy, Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kładki 24, 80-822, Gdansk, Poland.
| | - Krzysztof Łepek
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Gdansk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308, Gdansk, Poland.
| | - Małgorzata Stasiłojć
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Gdansk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308, Gdansk, Poland.
| | - Katarzyna Kosznik-Kwaśnicka
- Laboratory of Phage Therapy, Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kładki 24, 80-822, Gdansk, Poland.
| | - Karolina Zdrojewska
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Gdansk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308, Gdansk, Poland.
| | - Monika Maciąg-Dorszyńska
- Laboratory of Phage Therapy, Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kładki 24, 80-822, Gdansk, Poland.
| | - Grzegorz Węgrzyn
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Gdansk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308, Gdansk, Poland.
| | - Alicja Węgrzyn
- Laboratory of Phage Therapy, Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kładki 24, 80-822, Gdansk, Poland.
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20
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Chateau A, Van der Verren SE, Remaut H, Fioravanti A. The Bacillus anthracis Cell Envelope: Composition, Physiological Role, and Clinical Relevance. Microorganisms 2020; 8:E1864. [PMID: 33255913 PMCID: PMC7759979 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms8121864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2020] [Revised: 11/23/2020] [Accepted: 11/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Anthrax is a highly resilient and deadly disease caused by the spore-forming bacterial pathogen Bacillus anthracis. The bacterium presents a complex and dynamic composition of its cell envelope, which changes in response to developmental and environmental conditions and host-dependent signals. Because of their easy to access extracellular locations, B. anthracis cell envelope components represent interesting targets for the identification and development of novel therapeutic and vaccine strategies. This review will focus on the novel insights regarding the composition, physiological role, and clinical relevance of B. anthracis cell envelope components.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Chateau
- Avignon Université, INRAE, UMR SQPOV, F-84914 Avignon, France;
| | - Sander E. Van der Verren
- Structural and Molecular Microbiology, Structural Biology Research Center, VIB, 1050 Brussels, Belgium; (S.E.V.d.V.); (H.R.)
- Structural Biology Brussels, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Han Remaut
- Structural and Molecular Microbiology, Structural Biology Research Center, VIB, 1050 Brussels, Belgium; (S.E.V.d.V.); (H.R.)
- Structural Biology Brussels, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Antonella Fioravanti
- Structural and Molecular Microbiology, Structural Biology Research Center, VIB, 1050 Brussels, Belgium; (S.E.V.d.V.); (H.R.)
- Structural Biology Brussels, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
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21
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Li C, Yuan X, Li N, Wang J, Yu S, Zeng H, Zhang J, Wu Q, Ding Y. Isolation and Characterization of Bacillus cereus Phage vB_BceP-DLc1 Reveals the Largest Member of the Φ29-Like Phages. Microorganisms 2020; 8:E1750. [PMID: 33171789 PMCID: PMC7695010 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms8111750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2020] [Revised: 10/31/2020] [Accepted: 11/05/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacillus phage φ29 and its relatives have been considered as one of the most important model organisms for DNA replication, transcription, morphogenesis, DNA packaging studies, and nanotechnology applications. Here, we isolated and characterized a new member of the φ29-like phage, named Bacillus cereus phage vB_BceP-DLc1. This phage, with a unique inserted gene cluster, has the largest genome among known φ29-like phages. DLc1 can use the surface carbohydrate structures of the host cell as receptors and only infects the most related B. cereus strains, showing high host-specificity. The adsorption rate constant and life cycle of DLc1 under experimental conditions were also determined. Not only stable under temperatures below 55 °C and pH range from 5 to 11, the new phage also showed tolerance to high concentrations of NaCl, 75% ethanol, chloroform, and mechanical vortex, which is preferable for practical use in the food and pharmaceutical industries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chun Li
- Department of Food Science and Technology, Institute of Food Safety and Nutrition, College of Science & Engineering, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China; (C.L.); (X.Y.); (N.L.)
| | - Xiaoming Yuan
- Department of Food Science and Technology, Institute of Food Safety and Nutrition, College of Science & Engineering, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China; (C.L.); (X.Y.); (N.L.)
- College of Life Science and Technology, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
- State Key Laboratory of Applied Microbiology Southern China, Guangdong Institute of Microbiology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510070, China; (S.Y.); (H.Z.); (J.Z.); (Q.W.)
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Microbial Safety and Health, Guangdong Institute of Microbiology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510070, China
- Guangdong Open Laboratory of Applied Microbiology, Guangdong Institute of Microbiology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510070, China
| | - Na Li
- Department of Food Science and Technology, Institute of Food Safety and Nutrition, College of Science & Engineering, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China; (C.L.); (X.Y.); (N.L.)
- State Key Laboratory of Applied Microbiology Southern China, Guangdong Institute of Microbiology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510070, China; (S.Y.); (H.Z.); (J.Z.); (Q.W.)
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Microbial Safety and Health, Guangdong Institute of Microbiology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510070, China
- Guangdong Open Laboratory of Applied Microbiology, Guangdong Institute of Microbiology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510070, China
| | - Juan Wang
- College of Food Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China;
| | - Shubo Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Applied Microbiology Southern China, Guangdong Institute of Microbiology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510070, China; (S.Y.); (H.Z.); (J.Z.); (Q.W.)
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Microbial Safety and Health, Guangdong Institute of Microbiology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510070, China
- Guangdong Open Laboratory of Applied Microbiology, Guangdong Institute of Microbiology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510070, China
| | - Haiyan Zeng
- State Key Laboratory of Applied Microbiology Southern China, Guangdong Institute of Microbiology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510070, China; (S.Y.); (H.Z.); (J.Z.); (Q.W.)
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Microbial Safety and Health, Guangdong Institute of Microbiology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510070, China
- Guangdong Open Laboratory of Applied Microbiology, Guangdong Institute of Microbiology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510070, China
| | - Jumei Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Applied Microbiology Southern China, Guangdong Institute of Microbiology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510070, China; (S.Y.); (H.Z.); (J.Z.); (Q.W.)
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Microbial Safety and Health, Guangdong Institute of Microbiology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510070, China
- Guangdong Open Laboratory of Applied Microbiology, Guangdong Institute of Microbiology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510070, China
| | - Qingping Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Applied Microbiology Southern China, Guangdong Institute of Microbiology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510070, China; (S.Y.); (H.Z.); (J.Z.); (Q.W.)
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Microbial Safety and Health, Guangdong Institute of Microbiology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510070, China
- Guangdong Open Laboratory of Applied Microbiology, Guangdong Institute of Microbiology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510070, China
| | - Yu Ding
- Department of Food Science and Technology, Institute of Food Safety and Nutrition, College of Science & Engineering, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China; (C.L.); (X.Y.); (N.L.)
- State Key Laboratory of Applied Microbiology Southern China, Guangdong Institute of Microbiology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510070, China; (S.Y.); (H.Z.); (J.Z.); (Q.W.)
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Microbial Safety and Health, Guangdong Institute of Microbiology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510070, China
- Guangdong Open Laboratory of Applied Microbiology, Guangdong Institute of Microbiology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510070, China
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22
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Characterization of PlyB221 and PlyP32, Two Novel Endolysins Encoded by Phages Preying on the Bacillus cereus Group. Viruses 2020; 12:v12091052. [PMID: 32967292 PMCID: PMC7551664 DOI: 10.3390/v12091052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2020] [Revised: 09/11/2020] [Accepted: 09/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Endolysins are phage-encoded enzymes implicated in the breaching of the bacterial cell wall at the end of the viral cycle. This study focuses on the endolysins of Deep-Blue (PlyB221) and Deep-Purple (PlyP32), two phages preying on the Bacillus cereus group. Both enzymes exhibit a typical modular organization with an enzymatically active domain (EAD) located in the N-terminal and a cell wall binding domain (CBD) in the C-terminal part of the protein. In silico analysis indicated that the EAD domains of PlyB221 and PlyP32 are endowed with peptidase and muramidase activities, respectively, whereas in both proteins SH3 domains are involved in the CBD. To evaluate their antimicrobial properties and binding specificity, both endolysins were expressed and purified. PlyB221 and PlyP32 efficiently recognized and lysed all the tested strains from the B. cereus group. Biochemical characterization showed that PlyB221 activity was stable under a wide range of pHs (5–9), NaCl concentrations (up to 200 mM), and temperature treatments (up to 50 °C). Although PlyP32 activity was less stable than that of PlyB221, the endolysin displayed high activity at pH 6–7, NaCl concentration up to 100 mM and the temperature treatment up to 45 °C. Overall, PlyB221 and PlyP32 display suitable characteristics for the development of biocontrol and detection tools.
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23
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Yuan Y, Li X, Wang L, Li G, Cong C, Li R, Cui H, Murtaza B, Xu Y. The endolysin of the Acinetobacter baumannii phage vB_AbaP_D2 shows broad antibacterial activity. Microb Biotechnol 2020; 14:403-418. [PMID: 32519416 PMCID: PMC7936296 DOI: 10.1111/1751-7915.13594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2019] [Revised: 04/22/2020] [Accepted: 04/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The emergence and rapid spread of multidrug‐resistant bacteria has induced intense research for novel therapeutic approaches. In this study, the Acinetobacter baumannii bacteriophage D2 (vB_AbaP_D2) was isolated, characterized and sequenced. The endolysin of bacteriophage D2, namely Abtn‐4, contains an amphipathic helix and was found to have activity against multidrug‐resistant Gram‐negative strains. By more than 3 log units, A. baumannii were killed by Abtn‐4 (5 µM) in 2 h. In absence of outer membrane permeabilizers, Abtn‐4 exhibited broad antimicrobial activity against several Gram‐positive and Gram‐negative bacteria, such as Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumonia, Enterococcus and Salmonella. Furthermore, Abtn‐4 had the ability to reduce biofilm formation. Interestingly, Abtn‐4 showed antimicrobial activity against phage‐resistant bacterial mutants. Based on these results, endolysin Abtn‐4 may be a promising candidate therapeutic agent for multidrug‐resistant bacterial infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuyu Yuan
- School of Bioengineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, China
| | - Xiaoyu Li
- School of Bioengineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, China.,Ministry of Education Center for Food Safety of Animal Origin, Dalian, China
| | - Lili Wang
- School of Bioengineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, China.,Ministry of Education Center for Food Safety of Animal Origin, Dalian, China
| | - Gen Li
- School of Bioengineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, China
| | - Cong Cong
- School of Bioengineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, China
| | - Ruihua Li
- The Second Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Huijing Cui
- School of Bioengineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, China
| | - Bilal Murtaza
- School of Bioengineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, China
| | - Yongping Xu
- School of Bioengineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, China.,Ministry of Education Center for Food Safety of Animal Origin, Dalian, China
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