AROM @ NTU
  • HOME
  • ABOUT
  • STAFF
  • PUBLICATIONS
  • SERVICES
  • BLOG
  • CONTACT

AROM news

New publication on phage-derived Klebsiella pneumoniae capsule depolymerases

22/6/2021

1 Comment

 
Many important bacterial pathogens, including the important ESKAPE pathogen Klebsiella pneumoniae, encode and express polysaccharide capsules as their outermost cell structure. These structures are often key virulence factors, aiding in host immune evasion and providing protection from cellular and humoral immune responses. There is growing evidence that removal of these protective capsules, via administration of selective capsule depolymerases, results in rapid elimination of pathogens by the host. Such an approach should be successful against antibiotic-resistant isolates and, therefore, capsule depolymerases represent attractive future therapeutics.

In a recent publication, AROM’s David Negus and collaborators identified, cloned and tested a number of phage-derived capsule depolymerases selective for prevalent K. pneumoniae K-types (capsule types). In the study, over 60 lytic K. pneumoniae phages were isolated and analysis of whole-genome sequence data was used to identify phage-encoded depolymerases. Three of these enzymes were cloned and expressed as recombinant proteins. Using microscopy, the researchers show these depolymerases rapidly remove the capsule from the surface of K. pneumoniae isolates.

These enzymes may provide the basis for a future therapy against antibiotic-resistant K. pneumoniae infections.

Blundell-Hunter G, Enright MC, Negus D, et al. Characterisation of bacteriophage-encoded depolymerases selective for key Klebsiella pneumoniae capsular exopolysaccharides. Front Cell Infect Microbiol. 2021; doi.org/10.3389/fcimb.2021.686090.
1 Comment
White Rock Nuru Massage link
31/12/2024 12:17:07 am

Good reading your ppost

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Archives

    April 2024
    February 2022
    August 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    February 2021
    December 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • HOME
  • ABOUT
  • STAFF
  • PUBLICATIONS
  • SERVICES
  • BLOG
  • CONTACT