Identification and characterization of novel endolysins targeting Gardnerella vaginalis biofilms to treat bacterial vaginosis.

ABSTRACT: Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a recurrent dysbiosis that is frequently associated with preterm birth, increased risk for acquisition of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). The overgrowth of a key pathobiont, Gardnerella vaginalis, as a recalcitrant biofilm is central to the development of this dysbiosis. Overgrowth of vaginal biofilms, seeded by initial G. vaginalis colonization, leads to recurrent symptomatic BV which is poorly resolved by classically used antibiotics. In this light, the use of bacteriophages and/or their proteins, represents a promising alternative. Here we identify 84 diverse anti-Gardnerella endolysins across 7 protein families. A subset of 36 endolysin candidates were refactored and overexpressed in an E. coli BL21 (DE3)

SUBMITTER: Arroyo-Moreno S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9018826 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature