Bacteriophage Endolysin: Isolation, Cloning, and Antibacterial Activity

Abstract

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) stands as a formidable global crisis, casting a shadow over the efficacy of our efforts in preventing and managing the persistent flow of infectious diseases, thereby posing a grave threat to the health of humanity at large. As a response to this growing crisis, the search for viable alternatives to antibiotics has become imperative. Among these alternatives, bacteriophages, and their associated enzymes, particularly endolysins, have emerged as an attractive avenue of exploration. In this study, we successfully conducted the cloning, expression, and purification of LysZC1 endolysin. Notably, our findings revealed that LysZC1 exhibited significant antibacterial activity against Bacillus cereus. These results strongly indicate that LysZC1 holds considerable promise as a prospective therapeutic agent for combating bacterial infections and as a valuable tool for biocontrol against bacterial pathogens. A deeper understanding of the mechanisms underlying LysZC1's antibacterial activity could pave the way for enhancing its efficacy. For instance, exploring how LysZC1 interacts with bacterial membranes, and the specific pathways it disrupts, can provide vital knowledge.