In the post-antibiotic age, the rise of multidrug-resistant bacteria has become a severe threat to world healthcare. Phage-derived proteins are being explored as a classical approval antibacterial. According to the sources, phage-derived proteins can be divided into two categories: structural proteins and non-structural proteins. Structural proteins are the main components forming phage capsids and tails, whereas non-structural proteins include a bunch of enzymes with antibacterial activity, such as phage lysins, holins, polysaccharide depolymerases, and peptidoglycan hydrolases. Phage lysins and holins are produced by phages during the final stage of the lytic cycle to cleave the bacterial cell wall from inside. Polysaccharide depolymerases are structural components of the adsorption apparatus that target polysaccharides repeating units, making them anti-biofilm. The antimicrobial activity of phage-derived proteins can also be improved by genetic engineering techniques. As more and more phage-derived proteins are identified, a new chapter will open in the development of antibacterial therapeutics.
The applications of phage-derived proteins are considered alternative therapies for human and animal diseases caused by pathogenic bacteria. Nevertheless, phage-derived proteins still need extensive basic and clinical studies before they can be introduced into common practice. Even though some successful publications have employed phage-derived proteins to combat pathogens in recent decades, there are still questions about efficacy and safety, particularly when phage-derived proteins are used in large-scale human and veterinary treatment. The pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of phage-derived proteins, as well as their interactions with pathogenic bacteria and host cells, are still unknown. Besides the interactions between phage-derived proteins and the immune system of humans and animals are not very clear.
It is expected that this Research Topic can be a platform for sharing results of cutting-edge studies on the application of phage-derived protein therapy, extending novel opportunities in this field. This Research Topic will focus on new phage-derived proteins, including structural proteins (such as quorum-sensing anti-activator proteins, receptor binding proteins, and tail proteins) and non-structural proteins (phage lysins, holins, polysaccharide depolymerases, peptidoglycan hydrolases, etc.). These new proteins could be studied for the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases (in human and veterinary medicine), or pathogen diagnosis. Both original papers and review articles are welcome, provided they are focused on phage-derived proteins. Papers presenting both basic research and clinical studies will be considered with special attention. Review articles should present comprehensive summaries of the application of phage-derived proteins and analyze the potential perspectives of phage-derived protein therapeutic strategies. Topics may consist of following aspects but are not limited to:
(i) Molecular and cellular mechanisms of phage-derived proteins interactions with pathogenic bacteria
(ii) Molecular and cellular mechanisms of phage-derived proteins interactions with the human and animal immune system
(iii) The pharmacokinetics (PK) and pharmacodynamics (PD) of phage-derived proteins efficacy and safety of phage-derived proteins
In the post-antibiotic age, the rise of multidrug-resistant bacteria has become a severe threat to world healthcare. Phage-derived proteins are being explored as a classical approval antibacterial. According to the sources, phage-derived proteins can be divided into two categories: structural proteins and non-structural proteins. Structural proteins are the main components forming phage capsids and tails, whereas non-structural proteins include a bunch of enzymes with antibacterial activity, such as phage lysins, holins, polysaccharide depolymerases, and peptidoglycan hydrolases. Phage lysins and holins are produced by phages during the final stage of the lytic cycle to cleave the bacterial cell wall from inside. Polysaccharide depolymerases are structural components of the adsorption apparatus that target polysaccharides repeating units, making them anti-biofilm. The antimicrobial activity of phage-derived proteins can also be improved by genetic engineering techniques. As more and more phage-derived proteins are identified, a new chapter will open in the development of antibacterial therapeutics.
The applications of phage-derived proteins are considered alternative therapies for human and animal diseases caused by pathogenic bacteria. Nevertheless, phage-derived proteins still need extensive basic and clinical studies before they can be introduced into common practice. Even though some successful publications have employed phage-derived proteins to combat pathogens in recent decades, there are still questions about efficacy and safety, particularly when phage-derived proteins are used in large-scale human and veterinary treatment. The pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of phage-derived proteins, as well as their interactions with pathogenic bacteria and host cells, are still unknown. Besides the interactions between phage-derived proteins and the immune system of humans and animals are not very clear.
It is expected that this Research Topic can be a platform for sharing results of cutting-edge studies on the application of phage-derived protein therapy, extending novel opportunities in this field. This Research Topic will focus on new phage-derived proteins, including structural proteins (such as quorum-sensing anti-activator proteins, receptor binding proteins, and tail proteins) and non-structural proteins (phage lysins, holins, polysaccharide depolymerases, peptidoglycan hydrolases, etc.). These new proteins could be studied for the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases (in human and veterinary medicine), or pathogen diagnosis. Both original papers and review articles are welcome, provided they are focused on phage-derived proteins. Papers presenting both basic research and clinical studies will be considered with special attention. Review articles should present comprehensive summaries of the application of phage-derived proteins and analyze the potential perspectives of phage-derived protein therapeutic strategies. Topics may consist of following aspects but are not limited to:
(i) Molecular and cellular mechanisms of phage-derived proteins interactions with pathogenic bacteria
(ii) Molecular and cellular mechanisms of phage-derived proteins interactions with the human and animal immune system
(iii) The pharmacokinetics (PK) and pharmacodynamics (PD) of phage-derived proteins efficacy and safety of phage-derived proteins