Identification and characterization of phage protein and its activity against two strains of multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Sci Rep. 2019 Sep 17;9(1):13487. doi: 10.1038/s41598-019-50030-5.

Abstract

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen with a capacity to develop antibiotic resistance, which underlies a larger proportion of hospital-acquired infections and higher morbidity and mortality, compared to other bacterial infections. Effective novel approaches for treatment of infections induced by this pathogen are therefore necessary. Phage therapy represents a promising alternative solution to eradicate antibiotic-resistant pathogens. Here, we investigated phage protein efficacy against multi-drug resistant (MDR) P. aeruginosa PAR21 and PAR50 strains isolated from diabetic foot ulcer patients. The results obtained using spot assay, zymography, spectrophotometry and scanning electron microscopy at low voltage (SEM-LV) indicate that the phage protein, PA-PP, exerts activity against P. aeruginosa PAR50 while having no impact on the PAR21 strain. Using LC-MS-MS/MS and comparative analysis of the peptide molecular mass with the protein sequence database, PA-PP was identified as a member of the serine protease family, a result corroborated by its ability to digest casein. We additionally showed a capacity of PA-PP to digest porin protein on the bacterial outer membrane (OM). Moreover, synergistic activity between PA-PP protein and piperacillin led to higher sensitivity of bacterial cells to this antibiotic. Our collective findings suggest that PA-PP targets porin protein on PAR50 OM, thereby increasing its sensitivity to specific antibiotics. The adverse effects observed on bacterial cells using SEM-LV suggest further roles of this protein that remain to be established.

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology*
  • Bacteriophages / physiology*
  • Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial*
  • Enzyme Activation
  • Humans
  • Pseudomonas aeruginosa / drug effects*
  • Pseudomonas aeruginosa / ultrastructure
  • Pseudomonas aeruginosa / virology*
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Spectrum Analysis
  • Viral Proteins / metabolism*

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Viral Proteins