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Bacteriophage-derived endolysins to target gram-negative bacteria
Wing Ching Bianca Lai1, Xi Chen2, Marco Kai Yuen Ho1
1School of Pharmacy, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, China.
International Journal of Pharmaceutics
|September 3, 2020
Summary
Bacteriophage endolysins show promise against antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Strategies are being developed to overcome the outer membrane barrier in Gram-negative bacteria, enhancing their therapeutic potential.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology and Biotechnology
- Antimicrobial Resistance
- Protein Engineering
Background:
- Antibiotic resistance is a growing global health threat.
- Bacteriophage endolysins (lysins) are potent antibacterial agents.
- Gram-negative bacteria's outer membrane limits lysin efficacy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review strategies for enhancing lysin activity against Gram-negative bacteria.
- To explore advancements in lysin application for combating resistant infections.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent literature on lysin strategies for Gram-negative bacteria.
- Analysis of approaches including outer membrane permeabilizers, protein engineering, and nanocarrier formulations.
- Evaluation of combination therapies and enzyme stability improvements.
Main Results:
- Multiple strategies exist to improve lysin penetration and activity against Gram-negative bacteria.
- Protein engineering and formulation science offer solutions for enzyme stability.
- Combination therapies can maximize therapeutic potential.
Conclusions:
- Lysins hold significant potential for treating drug-resistant Gram-negative bacterial infections.
- Challenges remain, including safety of outer membrane permeabilizers and efficacy against stationary-phase bacteria.
- Further research in protein engineering, formulation, and combination therapy is crucial for clinical translation.
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