Review
Phage-tail-like bacteriocins as a biomedical platform to counter anti-microbial resistant pathogens

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopha.2022.113720Get rights and content
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Highlights

  • Phage tail-like bacteriocins (PTLBs) are structural homologs to bacteriophage tails.

  • PTLBs distinguished into R-type and F-type are characterized by a non-flexible contractile nanotube.

  • The specificity of PTLBs is mediated by the receptor binding capacity to the host receptor.

  • PTLBs and their mechanistic actions have been discussed.

  • PTLBs can be used as a strong contender against AMR pathogens.

Abstract

Phage Tail Like bacteriocins (PTLBs) has been an area of interest in the last couple of years owing to their varied application against multi-drug resistant (MDR), anti-microbial resistant (AMR) pathogens and their evolutionary link with the dsDNA virus and bacteriophages. PTLBs are defective phages derived from Myoviridae and Siphoviridae phages, PTLBs are distinguished into R-type (Rigid type) characterized by a non-flexible contractile nanotube resembling Myoviridae phage contractile tails, and F-type (Flexible type) with a flexible non-contractile rod-like structure similar to Siphoviridae phages. In this review, we have discussed the structural association, mechanism, and characterization of PTLBs. Moreover, we have elucidated the symbiotic biological function and application of PTLBs against MDR and XDR pathogens and highlighted the evolutionary role of PTLBs. The difficulties that must be overcome to implement PTLBs clinically are also discussed. It is imperative that these issues be addressed by academics in future studies before being implemented in clinical settings. This article is novel in its way as it will not only provide us with a gateway that acts as a novel strategy for scholars to mitigate and control the uprising issue of AMR pathogens but also promote the development of clinical studies for PTLBs.

Abbreviations

AHL
N-acyl-homoserine lactone
PTLBs
Phage tail-like bacteriocins
RBPs
receptor binding proteins
MDR
Multi-Drug Resistant
AMR
Antimicrobial Resistance
XDR
Extensively Drug Resistant
LPS
Lipopolysaccharides
Cryo-EM
Cryogenic Electron Microscopy
ssDNA
Single stranded DNA
RBP
Receptor binding protein
CD
Clostridium difficile
CDI
Clostridium difficile infection
PAK
Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain K
PA14
Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain 14
PAO1
Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain 1
DNA
Deoxyribonucleic acid
CDC
Centre for Disease Control and Prevention
STEC
Shiga toxin-producing E. coli
USA
United States of America
WHO
World Health Organization
EHEC
Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli
lmaA
Listeria monocytogenes gene B
lmaD
Listeria monocytogenes gene D

Keywords

Bacteriocins
Phage
Multi-drug resistant pathogen
Anti-microbial activity
Phage tail-like bacteriocin

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1

These authors have an equal contribution.