title: 'Artilysation' of endolysin λSa2lys strongly improves its enzymatic and antibacterial activity against streptococci.
abstract: Endolysins constitute a promising class of antibacterials against Gram-positive bacteria. Recently, endolysins have been engineered with selected peptides to obtain a new generation of lytic proteins, Artilysins, with specific activity against Gram-negative bacteria. Here, we demonstrate that artilysation can also be used to enhance the antibacterial activity of endolysins against Gram-positive bacteria and to reduce the dependence on external conditions. Art-240, a chimeric protein of the anti-streptococcal endolysin λSa2lys and the polycationic peptide PCNP, shows a similar species specificity as the parental endolysin, but the bactericidal activity against streptococci increases and is less affected by elevated NaCl concentrations and pH variations. Time-kill experiments and time-lapse microscopy demonstrate that the killing rate of Art-240 is approximately two-fold higher compared to wildtype endolysin λSa2lys, with a reduction in viable bacteria of 3 log units after 10 min. In addition, lower doses of Art-240 are required to achieve the same bactericidal effect.
authors: Instituto de Productos Lácteos de Asturias (IPLA-CSIC), Paseo Río Linares s/n 33300- Villaviciosa, Asturias, Spain.|Laboratory of Gene Technology, Department of Biosystems, KU Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 21 - box 2462, 3001 Heverlee, Belgium.
authors: Lorena
authors: L
authors: Rodríguez-Rubio
authors: Lisando GmbH, Am BioPark 13, 93053 Regensburg, Germany.
authors: Wai-Ling
authors: WL
authors: Chang
authors: Instituto de Productos Lácteos de Asturias (IPLA-CSIC), Paseo Río Linares s/n 33300- Villaviciosa, Asturias, Spain.
authors: Diana
authors: D
authors: Gutiérrez
authors: Laboratory of Gene Technology, Department of Biosystems, KU Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 21 - box 2462, 3001 Heverlee, Belgium.
authors: Rob
authors: R
authors: Lavigne
authors: Instituto de Productos Lácteos de Asturias (IPLA-CSIC), Paseo Río Linares s/n 33300- Villaviciosa, Asturias, Spain.
authors: Beatriz
authors: B
authors: Martínez
authors: Instituto de Productos Lácteos de Asturias (IPLA-CSIC), Paseo Río Linares s/n 33300- Villaviciosa, Asturias, Spain.
authors: Ana
authors: A
authors: Rodríguez
authors: Laboratory of Food Microbiology, Department of Microbial and Molecular Systems, KU Leuven, Heverlee, Belgium.
authors: Sander K
authors: SK
authors: Govers
authors: Laboratory of Food Microbiology, Department of Microbial and Molecular Systems, KU Leuven, Heverlee, Belgium.
authors: Abram
authors: A
authors: Aertsen
authors: Lisando GmbH, Am BioPark 13, 93053 Regensburg, Germany.
authors: Christine
authors: C
authors: Hirl
authors: Lisando GmbH, Am BioPark 13, 93053 Regensburg, Germany.
authors: Manfred
authors: M
authors: Biebl
authors: Laboratory of Applied Biotechnology, Department of Applied Biosciences, Ghent University, Ghent Belgium.
authors: Yves
authors: Y
authors: Briers
authors: Instituto de Productos Lácteos de Asturias (IPLA-CSIC), Paseo Río Linares s/n 33300- Villaviciosa, Asturias, Spain.
authors: Pilar
authors: P
authors: García
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology; D001435:Bacteriophages / Q000201:enzymology; D002942:Circular Dichroism; D010450:Endopeptidases / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology; D006090:Gram-Negative Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects; D006094:Gram-Positive Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D010457:Peptidoglycan / Q000737:chemistry; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000737:chemistry; D012492:Salts / Q000737:chemistry; D013291:Streptococcus / Q000187:drug effects*; D013696:Temperature
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D010457:Peptidoglycan; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012492:Salts; D010450:Endopeptidases; C001143:endolysin