title: Isolation and characterization of a novel phage lysin active againstPaenibacillus larvae, a honeybee pathogen.
abstract: Paenibacillus larvaeis the causative agent of American foulbrood (AFB) disease which affects early larval stages during honeybee development. Due to its virulence, transmissibility, capacity to develop antibiotic resistance, and the inherent resilience of its endospores,Paenibacillus larvaeis extremely difficult to eradicate from infected hives which often must be burned. AFB contributes to the worldwide decline of honeybee populations, which are crucial for pollination and the food supply. We have isolated a novel bacteriophage lysin, PlyPalA, from the genome of a novelPaenibacillus larvaebacteriophage originally extracted from an environmental sample. PlyPalA has an N-terminal N-acetylmuramoyl-L-alanine amidase catalytic domain and possesses lytic activity against infectious strains ofPaenibacillus larvaewithout harming commensal bacteria known to compose the honeybee larval microbiota. A single dose of PlyPalA rescued 75% of larvae infected with endospores, showing that it represents a powerful tool for future treatment of AFB. This represents the first time that lysins have been tested for therapeutic use in invertebrates.
authors.affiliation: School of Life Sciences; University of Nevada ; Las Vegas, NV USA.
authors.forename: Lucy
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: LeBlanc
authors.affiliation: School of Life Sciences; University of Nevada ; Las Vegas, NV USA.
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nezami
authors.affiliation: School of Life Sciences; University of Nevada ; Las Vegas, NV USA.
authors.forename: Diane
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Yost
authors.affiliation: School of Life Sciences; University of Nevada ; Las Vegas, NV USA.
authors.forename: Philippos
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Tsourkas
authors.affiliation: School of Life Sciences; University of Nevada ; Las Vegas, NV USA.
authors.forename: Penny S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Amy
keywords: Paenibacillus larvae; enzyme; honeybee; larvae; lysin