Engineered endolysin-based "artilysins" for controlling the gram-negative pathogen Helicobacter pylori
Dengyuan Xu1,2, Shanshan Zhao2, Jun Dou1,2
1China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211100, China.
AMB Express
|April 29, 2021
Summary
New artilysins, combining endolysin and holin enzymes, effectively target and destroy Helicobacter pylori. This novel approach offers a promising solution for eradicating the bacteria, addressing antibiotic resistance challenges in gastrointestinal disease treatment.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Biotechnology
- Drug Discovery
Background:
- Helicobacter pylori infections are linked to gastrointestinal diseases and gastric cancer.
- Antibiotic resistance in H. pylori necessitates novel therapeutic strategies.
- Bacterial viruses (phages) offer potential antimicrobial agents like endolysins and holins.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a novel antimicrobial agent effective against H. pylori.
- To overcome the challenge of H. pylori's outer membrane barrier.
- To investigate the efficacy of genetically engineered artilysins.
Main Methods:
- Genetic linkage of endolysin and holin enzymes to create artilysins.
- Expression of artilysins in Escherichia coli.
- In vitro bacteriostasis assays and electron microscopy for H. pylori analysis.
Main Results:
- Purified artilysins demonstrated potent bacteriostatic effects on H. pylori.
- Electron microscopy confirmed artilysins perforated and destroyed the H. pylori cell surface.
- Artilysins exhibited significant bacteriolytic activity against H. pylori.
Conclusions:
- Artilysins are effective in eradicating H. pylori by targeting its cell wall and membrane.
- Engineered artilysins represent a promising new therapeutic approach for H. pylori infections.
- This strategy overcomes the outer membrane barrier inherent to Gram-negative bacteria like H. pylori.
Keywords:
Escherichia coli expression systemHelicobacter pyloriHolin and endolysin phageIn vitro antibacterial assaysMore Related Videos
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