Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 17, 2026

A Protocol for Phage Display and Affinity Selection Using Recombinant Protein Baits
12:36

A Protocol for Phage Display and Affinity Selection Using Recombinant Protein Baits

Published on: February 16, 2014

Peptides selected for binding to a virulent strain of Haemophilus influenzae by phage display are bactericidal

Sharon L Bishop-Hurley1, Francis J Schmidt, Alice L Erwin

  • 1CSIRO Livestock Industries, Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia.

Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy
|June 28, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Researchers discovered novel peptides that kill Nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) bacteria. These bactericidal peptides, identified using phage display, show potential for developing new antibiotics against NTHi infections.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Bacteriology
  • Drug Discovery

Background:

  • Nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) is a common human oropharyngeal parasite causing mucosal infections like otitis media, sinusitis, and bronchitis.
  • The emergence of antibiotic resistance necessitates the development of novel therapeutic strategies against bacterial pathogens.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify and characterize peptides with bactericidal activity against NTHi using a subtractive phage display approach.
  • To evaluate the potential of these peptides as a basis for new antibiotic development.

Main Methods:

  • Subtractive phage display was employed to select peptides that bind to the surface of the invasive NTHi strain R2866.
  • Selected phage peptides were tested for dose-dependent bactericidal activity against NTHi and other bacterial species.
  • Peptide sequences and their physicochemical properties were analyzed.

Main Results:

  • Over 50% of selected phage peptides exhibited dose-dependent bactericidal activity against NTHi strain R2866.
  • A specific peptide sequence (KQRTSIRATEGCLPS) was identified from multiple clones and demonstrated significant activity.
  • Most bactericidal peptides were cationic and showed specific activity against NTHi and Haemophilus influenzae type b, but not against Gram-positive or other Gram-negative bacteria.

Conclusions:

  • Phage display is an effective method for isolating peptides targeting bacterial surface structures.
  • The identified bactericidal peptides represent promising candidates for the development of novel antimicrobial agents against NTHi.
  • These findings highlight the potential of peptide-based therapeutics in combating NTHi infections.

More Related Videos

Bacterial Peptide Display for the Selection of Novel Biotinylating Enzymes10:43

Bacterial Peptide Display for the Selection of Novel Biotinylating Enzymes

Published on: October 3, 2019

Using Phage Display to Develop Ubiquitin Variant Modulators for E3 Ligases06:30

Using Phage Display to Develop Ubiquitin Variant Modulators for E3 Ligases

Published on: August 27, 2021

Related Concept Videos

Lytic Cycle of Bacteriophages01:30

Lytic Cycle of Bacteriophages

Bacteriophages, also known as phages, are specialized viruses that infect bacteria. A key characteristic of phages is their distinctive “head-tail” morphology. A phage begins the infection process (i.e., lytic cycle) by attaching to the outside of a bacterial cell. Attachment is accomplished via proteins in the phage tail that bind to specific receptor proteins on the outer surface of the bacterium. The tail injects the phage’s DNA genome into the bacterial cytoplasm. In the lytic replication...
Bacteriophages of the Human Virome01:23

Bacteriophages of the Human Virome

Bacteriophages are found throughout the human body. They may even outnumber eukaryotic viruses, forming an important and dynamic component of the human virome. Indeed, phages represent the most abundant viral entities, with densities in the gut reaching up to 10⁹ particles per gram of fecal matter, and many belonging to orders such as Caudovirales and Microviridae, while a substantial proportion remains unclassified as viral “dark matter.”Lysogeny and Genetic ExchangeIn the gut, bacteriophages...
DNA Bacteriophages01:26

DNA Bacteriophages

Bacteriophages, or phages, are viruses that specifically infect bacteria, utilizing their genetic material to hijack host cellular machinery for replication. DNA bacteriophages employ single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) or double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) genomes. These phages exhibit diverse replication strategies and host interactions, influencing their ecological roles and applications in biotechnology and medicine.ssDNA BacteriophagesssDNA phages, with their small genomes, utilize unique strategies to...
Inhibitors of Gram-positive Cell Wall Synthesis01:23

Inhibitors of Gram-positive Cell Wall Synthesis

Bacterial cell walls are typically rigid structures composed mainly of peptidoglycan, a mesh-like polymer that provides mechanical strength and maintains cell shape. The synthesis of peptidoglycan is a crucial process in bacterial growth and serves as a primary target for many antibiotics.Mechanism of Action of Beta-Lactam AntibioticsBeta-lactam antibiotics, such as penicillin, inhibit peptidoglycan synthesis in actively growing cells. These antibiotics share a characteristic four-membered...
Viral Replication: Lytic Cycle01:20

Viral Replication: Lytic Cycle

Bacteriophages, or phages, are viruses that specifically infect bacteria. Among them, T-even bacteriophages, such as T4, exhibit a well-characterized lytic replication cycle in Escherichia coli (E. coli). This process ensures the rapid proliferation of the virus while ultimately leading to the destruction of the bacterial host.Attachment and DNA InjectionThe infection process begins with the recognition and binding of the T4 phage to the E. coli cell surface. Tail fibers of the phage...
Antimicrobial Proteins01:23

Antimicrobial Proteins

Antimicrobial proteins are important components of the immune system. They aid the body in combating pathogens by either killing them directly or hindering their replication processes. Four main types of antimicrobial substances are interferons, the complement system, iron-binding proteins, and antimicrobial proteins.
Interferons
Interferons (IFNs) are proteins produced by lymphocytes, macrophages, and fibroblasts infected with viruses. While IFNs cannot prevent viruses from entering and...