Rapid screening for antimicrobial genes in novel nocardiophages
Date
2008-12-08T12:28:51Z
Authors
Shibayama, Youtaro
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Abstract
There has been an increase in number of human infections by mycobacteria and
opportunistic pathogens of the closely related nocardioform bacteria. Frequent multiple
drug resistance in these organisms makes it desirable to identify novel targets for
antimicrobial agents. Bacteriophages offer one way to do this as analysis of their DNA
reveals great diversity in their genetic makeup, suggesting variety in the way they
interfere with host cells. Four novel nocardiophages were therefore isolated from soil
and characterized. Libraries of their nucleic acid were constructed and screened for
clones inhibitory to a nocardioform of the genus Rhodococcus. Nine clones were
characterized, and minimum necessary DNA for inhibitory activity sequenced. Of 18
ORFs predicted on these DNAs, 13 could not be assigned a function. Genes similar to
ones in databases apparently interfered with DNA metabolism, protein synthesis, or
integrity of plasma membrane. This genetic approach may be an efficient and effective
way to discover novel targets for antibiotics.
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Keywords
bacteriophage, nocardioform, antibacterial genes, target identification