Inovirus-Encoded Peptides Induce Specific Toxicity in <i>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</i>.

ABSTRACT: Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a common opportunistic pathogen associated with nosocomial infections. The primary treatment for infections typically involves antibiotics, which can lead to the emergence of multidrug-resistant strains. Therefore, there is a pressing need for safe and effective alternative methods. Phage therapy stands out as a promising approach. However, filamentous prophages (Pfs) commonly found in P. aeruginosa encode genes with phage defense activity, thereby reducing the efficacy of phage therapy. Through a genomic analysis of the Pf4 prophage, we identified a 102 bp gene co-transcribed with the upstream gene responsible for phage release (zot gene), giving rise to a 33-amino-acid polypeptide that we have named Pf4-encoded toxic polypeptide (PftP4). The

SUBMITTER: Weng J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11769263 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature