Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 29, 2026
13:30
A New Screening Method for the Directed Evolution of Thermostable Bacteriolytic Enzymes
Published on: November 7, 2012
18.6K
A chimeolysin with extended-spectrum streptococcal host range found by an induced lysis-based rapid screening method
Hang Yang1, Sara B Linden2, Jing Wang1
1Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens and Biosafety, Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China.
Scientific Reports
|November 27, 2015
Summary
A new bacteriophage lysin, ClyR, shows broad-spectrum activity against drug-resistant streptococci. This engineered chimera effectively targets multiple pathogens, offering a promising alternative to traditional antibiotics for various infections.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Biotechnology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Multi-drug resistant streptococci present a significant global health challenge.
- Bacteriophage lysins offer an alternative to antibiotics but typically have a narrow host range.
- Developing lysins with broader activity is crucial for their clinical application.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop an efficient screening method for engineered chimeric lysins.
- To identify a novel lysin with an extended spectrum of activity against streptococcal species.
- To evaluate the potential of engineered lysins as alternatives to antibiotics.
Main Methods:
- Engineered chimeric lysins were rapidly screened using a novel method.
- A unique chimeolysin, designated ClyR, was identified and characterized.
- The lytic activity of ClyR was tested against a wide range of streptococcal, enterococcal, and staphylococcal species.
Main Results:
- The screening method successfully identified ClyR, a potent chimera lysin.
- ClyR demonstrated robust activity against most streptococcal species, including S. pyogenes and S. pneumoniae.
- ClyR exhibited activity against MRSA, VISA, and key bovine mastitis pathogens, and the primary cause of dental caries.
Conclusions:
- The developed screening method is effective for discovering novel lysins.
- ClyR possesses an unprecedented extended host range, targeting numerous clinically relevant bacteria.
- ClyR represents a promising therapeutic candidate for treating infections caused by multi-drug resistant streptococci and other pathogens.
