K2 Capsule Depolymerase Is Highly Stable, Is Refractory to Resistance, and Protects Larvae and Mice from Acinetobacter baumannii Sepsis.

ABSTRACT: Acinetobacter baumannii is emerging as a major nosocomial pathogen in intensive care units. The bacterial capsules are considered major virulence factors, and the particular A. baumannii capsular type K2 has been associated with high antibiotic resistance. In this study, we identified a K2 capsule-specific depolymerase in a bacteriophage tail spike C terminus, a fragment that was heterologously expressed, and its antivirulence properties were assessed by in vivo experiments. The K2 depolymerase is active under a broad range of environmental conditions and is highly thermostable, with a melting point (Tm ) at 67°C. In the caterpillar larva model, the K2 depolymerase protects larvae from bacterial infections, using either pretreatments or with single-enzyme injection after bacterial challeng

SUBMITTER: Oliveira H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6696962 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature