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A novel holin from an Enterococcus faecalis phage and application in vitro and in vivo

Yingying Xiang1, Suping Wang2, Hao Huang1

  • 1Department of Stomatology, Yan'an Hospital Affiliated to Kunming Medical University, Kunming, 650031, China.

Microbial Pathogenesis
|December 4, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Phage holin pEF191 shows strong antibacterial activity against Enterococcus faecalis, effectively removing biofilms and protecting rats without harming gut microbiota. This makes pEF191 a potential antibiotic alternative.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Bacteriology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Enterococcus faecalis is a resilient pathogen causing persistent infections, particularly after root canal therapy.
  • Antibiotic resistance in E. faecalis necessitates urgent exploration of novel therapeutic agents.
  • Bacteriophage-derived proteins offer a promising avenue for combating resistant bacterial infections.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the antibacterial potential of cloned phage holin pEF191 against Enterococcus faecalis.
  • To evaluate the efficacy of pEF191 in eliminating E. faecalis biofilms and its therapeutic effects in a rat model.
  • To assess the impact of pEF191 on the intestinal microbiota composition.

Main Methods:

  • Cloning and expression of phage holin gene, purification of recombinant protein.
  • Analysis of antibacterial activity, lysis profile, and biofilm removal capabilities of pEF191.
  • In vivo therapeutic evaluation in Sprague-Dawley rats and 16S rDNA analysis of intestinal microbiota.

Main Results:

  • Phage holin pEF191 demonstrated superior antibacterial and broader lysis host range compared to the parent phage.
  • pEF191 effectively eliminated E. faecalis biofilms and showed significant therapeutic protection in infected rats.
  • pEF191 did not negatively impact rat intestinal microbiota diversity and improved beneficial bacteria abundance.

Conclusions:

  • Phage holin pEF191 exhibits potent antibacterial and anti-biofilm activity against Enterococcus faecalis.
  • pEF191 is safe for in vivo use, showing no adverse effects on host animals or gut microbiota.
  • Holin pEF191 represents a promising alternative to conventional antibiotics for managing E. faecalis infections.
Keywords:
BiofilmEnterococcus faecalisHolinPhagePopulation

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