Combination Effect of Engineered Endolysin EC340 With Antibiotics.

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Biotechnology
• Enzymology

Background:

• Bacteriophage lysins are enzymes that degrade bacterial cell walls.
• Gram-negative bacteria possess an outer membrane hindering lysin access to the cell wall.
• Engineering lysins is crucial for targeting Gram-negative pathogens.

Purpose of the Study:

• To engineer a bacteriophage endolysin for enhanced Gram-negative bacteria activity.
• To evaluate the synergistic potential of the engineered endolysin with antibiotics.

Main Methods:

• Endolysin EC340 from phage PBEC131 was engineered to create LNT113.
• LNT113's activity against Gram-negative bacteria was assessed.
• Synergistic and additive effects of LNT113 with various antibiotics were tested.

Main Results:

• The engineered endolysin LNT113 showed improved activity.
• Synergy was observed between LNT113 and colistin.
• Additive effects were noted with meropenem, tigecycline, chloramphenicol, azithromycin, and ciprofloxacin.

Conclusions:

• Engineered endolysins can overcome the Gram-negative outer membrane barrier.
• LNT113 exhibits synergistic potential with specific antibiotics, offering new therapeutic strategies.
• Antibiotic class or mechanism did not predict synergy with LNT113.