Chapter category: Biotechnology

The Use of Recombinant Phage Lysins for the Control of Bacterial Pathogens

This chapter appears in the following book:

Patho-Biotechnology

Edited by: Roy Sleator and Colin Hill
ISBN: 978-1-58706-304-6
» Get more information about this book at landesbioscience.com «

Chapter authors:
Marianne Horgan, Aidan Coffey, R. Paul Ross, Jim O'Mahony, Gerald F. Fitzgerald and Olivia McAuliffe

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Endolysins are bacteriophage‑encoded peptidoglycan hydrolases that accumulate in the cytosol of phage‑infected bacterial cells, resulting in eventual cell lysis at the end of the lytic cycle. In view of the prevalence of antibiotic‑resistant bacteria, these enzymes represent a truly novel and effective class of antimicrobials in the fight against infection. By recognising unique receptors present in the bacterial cell wall, they exhibit highly specific targeting of their host cell while leaving the normal microflora intact. An interesting feature of endolysins is their modular structure which lends itself to being manipulated by exchanging domains to alter the host spectrum or to improve the catalytic activity. Knowledge of the three dimensional structure is central to determining which domains would be favourable for the creation of designer lysins, tailored for biotechnological applications. Numerous in vitro and in vivo trials have yielded highly encouraging insights into the lytic capabilities and benefits provided by endolysins. Clearly, these potent enzymes possess many advantageous properties which make them suitable for exploitation as antimicrobials. Studies have demonstrated their potential to prevent pathogenic colonization of mucosal membranes and to control bacterial infections, as well as their use as tools in the control of potential biological weapons such as anthrax, in the biocontrol of bacteria in food and feed and to protect plants from phytopathogenic bacteria. These promising results warrant further investigation into the therapeutic potential of endolysins, conceivably leading to their eventual development as antimicrobial tools.

Marianne Horgan
Moorepark Food Research Centre, Teagasc; and, Department of Microbiology, University College Cork

Aidan Coffey
Department of Biological Sciences, Cork Institute of Technology

R. Paul Ross
Moorepark Food Research Centre, Teagasc; and, Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre

Jim O'Mahony
Department of Biological Sciences, Cork Institute of Technology

Gerald F. Fitzgerald
Department of Microbiology, University College Cork; and, Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre

Olivia McAuliffe
Moorepark Food Research Centre, Teagasc

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Chapter category: Biotechnology

The Use of Recombinant Phage Lysins for the Control of Bacterial Pathogens

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