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Updated: Jun 6, 2025
Author Spotlight: Investigating Bacteriophage-Induced Immune Responses in Gnotobiotic Mice
Published on: January 26, 2024
Characterization of a Putative Lysin from Enterococcus faecalis Phage IME-EFm1 and Determination of its Protective
Can Wang1,2,3, Youhong Guan4, Wanrong Wang1
1Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230000, Anhui, China.
Abstract:
The rising tide of bacterial drug resistance has sparked renewed interest in bacteriophages, the natural predators of bacteria. Our study highlights IME-EFm1, a Caudoviricetes bacteriophage specifically targeting Enterococcus faecium. Through our investigations, we identified that the gene IME-EFm1-ORF24 encodes an amidase, referred to as gp24, with promising lytic capabilities. Remarkably, gp24 exhibited a wider lytic spectrum than its parent phage, successfully lysing 26 out of 32 E. faecium strains, compared to the phage's ability to lyse only 21. This protein demonstrated robust antibacterial activity, remaining effective at temperatures between 25 °C and 60 °C and across a pH range of 6 to 12. Additionally, gp24 displayed significant anti-biofilm properties, effectively dismantling established biofilms in vitro. In a mouse model of abdominal infection, gp24 achieved a 75% protection rate against a dose of 2 × 109 colony-forming units of E. faecium En383, significantly outperforming the control group (p < 0.05). These compelling results suggest that gp24 holds great potential as a novel antimicrobial agent for treating E. faecium infections.
Insights
A novel bacteriophage protein, gp24, shows strong potential against drug-resistant Enterococcus faecium. This amidase effectively lyses bacteria, combats biofilms, and protects against infection in animal models.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Molecular Biology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Bacterial drug resistance necessitates novel therapeutic strategies.
- Bacteriophages are natural bacterial predators with therapeutic potential.
- Enterococcus faecium is a significant opportunistic pathogen.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the lytic capabilities of a bacteriophage protein against Enterococcus faecium.
- To evaluate the antimicrobial and anti-biofilm properties of the identified protein.
- To assess the in vivo efficacy of the protein in a murine infection model.
Main Methods:
- Identification and characterization of the IME-EFm1-ORF24 gene encoding an amidase (gp24).
- Determination of the lytic spectrum and optimal activity conditions (temperature, pH) of gp24.
- In vitro assessment of anti-biofilm activity and in vivo efficacy in a mouse abdominal infection model.
Main Results:
- gp24 demonstrated a broader lytic spectrum against E. faecium strains than its parent phage.
- The protein exhibited robust activity across a wide temperature (25-60°C) and pH (6-12) range.
- gp24 effectively eradicated established biofilms in vitro and provided 75% protection in a mouse infection model.
Conclusions:
- The bacteriophage-derived amidase gp24 is a potent antimicrobial agent.
- gp24 exhibits significant lytic, anti-biofilm, and in vivo therapeutic potential.
- gp24 represents a promising candidate for novel treatments against Enterococcus faecium infections.
