Bacterial infections present a significant challenge in agriculture and medicine, particularly with the rise of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Researchers at Texas A&M AgriLife Research are uncovering how viruses that infect bacteria, known as phages, disarm pathogens, offering new treatment possibilities. A recent study published in Science by a collaborative team detailed a precise mechanism by which phages disable bacteria, including interactions that have been of interest since the early 1970s. The team’s research has implications for the development of novel treatment methods.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a bacterium that can cause infections in various parts of the body, often found in healthcare settings where drug-resistant bacteria are common. Phage therapy, which utilizes bacteriophages to target bacteria, is being explored as an alternative to traditional drugs for such infections. Researchers at the Texas A&M Center for Phage Technology, led by co-directors Lanying Zeng and Junjie Zhang, are investigating the potential of phages beyond therapy by studying the structures and mechanisms involved in phage-bacterium interactions. Targeting P. aeruginosa’s pilus, a cylindrical structure that aids in spreading antimicrobial-resistant genes, is a focus of their research.
In a study published in Science, researchers examined how the phage PP7 infects P. aeruginosa by attaching to the pilus, causing it to retract and detach from the cell surface. This process disrupts the bacterium’s ability to infect its host, highlighting a potential strategy for combating antibiotic-resistant P. aeruginosa infections. This work builds on previous research that identified a phage capable of breaking off the pili of E. coli cells, preventing the spread of antibiotic resistance. Ongoing research by the team is exploring interactions between phages and bacteria of different genera, furthering their understanding of phage-mediated disarmament of pathogenic bacteria.
The team’s research is facilitated by state-of-the-art technology, including cryo-electron microscopy, which allows for the resolution of protein structures at the atomic level. By elucidating the precise mechanisms by which phages disable bacteria, the researchers aim to develop new strategies for treating antimicrobial infections. Rather than killing bacteria directly, phages could disarm these pathogens, allowing the immune system to combat the infection or enabling lower doses of antibiotics to be used. This approach may reduce the release of toxic material from bacteria into the host, offering a potentially safer and more effective treatment method.
The implications of the team’s research extend beyond phage therapy, as the understanding of phage-bacterium interactions may provide insights into combating multi-drug resistant bacteria. By identifying a universal mechanism by which phages can dampen the virulence of pathogenic bacteria, the researchers aim to address the growing challenge of antibiotic resistance. Their collaborative effort emphasizes the importance of exploring new treatment approaches to combat drug-resistant infections, paving the way for innovative solutions in agriculture and medicine.
