New class of precision antimicrobials redefines role of <i>Clostridium difficile</i> S-layer in virulence and viability.

ABSTRACT: There is a medical need for antibacterial agents that do not damage the resident gut microbiota or promote the spread of antibiotic resistance. We recently described a prototypic precision bactericidal agent, Av-CD291.2, which selectively kills specific Clostridium difficile strains and prevents them from colonizing mice. We have since selected two Av-CD291.2-resistant mutants that have a surface (S)-layer-null phenotype due to distinct point mutations in the slpA gene. Using newly identified bacteriophage receptor binding proteins for targeting, we constructed a panel of Avidocin-CDs that kills diverse C. difficile isolates in an S-layer sequence-dependent manner. In addition to bacteriophage receptor recognition, characterization of the mutants also uncovered importa

SUBMITTER: Kirk JA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5603275 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature