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Endolysins against Streptococci as an antibiotic alternative
Kuan Yee Wong1, Megat Hamzah Megat Mazhar Khair2, Adelene Ai-Lian Song2
1Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Applied Sciences, UCSI University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Frontiers in Microbiology
|August 19, 2022
Summary
Streptococcal endolysins, phage-derived enzymes, show promise as alternatives to antibiotics for treating infections caused by *Streptococcus* bacteria. This review details their structure, lytic activity, and potential as enzybiotics.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Biotechnology
- Enzymology
Background:
- Antibiotic resistance necessitates novel therapeutic strategies.
- Phage endolysins, bacterial lysis enzymes, are explored as alternatives.
- Streptococcal infections pose significant health and economic threats.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review streptococcal endolysins.
- To detail their catalytic and cell wall-binding domains.
- To assess their lytic activity and industrial applications.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of streptococcal endolysins.
- Analysis of domain structures.
- Evaluation of lytic capabilities and engineered variants.
- Assessment of industrial applications.
Main Results:
- Streptococcal endolysins possess diverse catalytic and binding domains.
- Both native and engineered endolysins exhibit significant lytic activity against *Streptococcus*.
- Potential applications span medicine, agriculture, and food industries.
Conclusions:
- Streptococcal endolysins are potent enzybiotics with broad applicability.
- Further research can optimize their use against streptococcal infections.
- Endolysins offer a promising avenue in combating antibiotic resistance.
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