Isolation and characterization of a novel phage lysin active against Paenibacillus larvae, a honeybee pathogen.

ABSTRACT: Paenibacillus larvae is the causative agent of American foulbrood (AFB) disease which affects early larval stages during honeybee development. Due to its virulence, transmissibility, capacity to develop antibiotic resistance, and the inherent resilience of its endospores, Paenibacillus larvae is extremely difficult to eradicate from infected hives which often must be burned. AFB contributes to the worldwide decline of honeybee populations, which are crucial for pollination and the food supply. We have isolated a novel bacteriophage lysin, PlyPalA, from the genome of a novel Paenibacillus larvae bacteriophage originally extracted from an environmental sample. PlyPalA has an N-terminal N-acetylmuramoyl-L-alanine amidase catalytic domain and possesses lytic activity again

SUBMITTER: LeBlanc L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4743491 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Oct-Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature