Engineering of Salmonella Phages into Novel Antimicrobial Tailocins

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Due to the extensive use of antibiotics, the increase of infections caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria is now a global health concern. Phages have proven useful for treating bacterial infections and represent a promising alternative or complement to antibiotic treatment. Yet, other alternatives exist, such as bacteria-produced non-replicative protein complexes that can kill their targeted bacteria by puncturing their membrane (Tailocins). To expand the repertoire of Tailocins available, we suggest a new approach that transforms phages into Tailocins. Here, we genetically engineered the virulent Ackermannviridae phage S117, as well as temperate phages Fels-1, -2 and Gifsy-1 and -2, targeting the food pathogen Salmonella, by deleting the portal vertex or major capsid gene using CRISPR-Cas9. We report the production of Tailocin particles from engineered virulent and temperate phages able to kill their native host. Our work represents a steppingstone that taps into the huge diversity of phages and transforms them into versatile puncturing new antimicrobials.

Original languageEnglish
Article number2637
JournalCells
Volume12
Issue number22
Number of pages15
ISSN2073-4409
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2023

    Research areas

  • Salmonella Phages/genetics, Bacteriophages/genetics, Anti-Infective Agents, Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology, Salmonella, Bacteria

ID: 374523777