Phage Therapy for Drug-Resistant Pathogens
Section
By Katie Orefice
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In this project, I will be researching phage therapy as a defense against drug-resistant pathogens, specifically bacteria. Typically, antibiotics are used in order to combat bacterial infections and have had a lot of success. Although, when antibiotics are used often, bacteria is capable of developing a resistance to the drug, rendering it much less effective. A newer potential defense of pathogens is phage therapy. Phage therapy uses bacteriophages, which are viruses that target and infect bacteria. Each type of bacteria is susceptible to a number of bacteriophages [1]. When using a bacteriophage to target a pathogen, bacterial lysis often occurs, leading to the breakdown of a cell’s membrane and bursting of the cell [1]. This would be a successful result in targeting a pathogen. The use of phage therapy actually dates back to the early 1900s, even before antibiotics were discovered. Once antibiotics were widely used, phage therapy dissipated but now that bacteria are developing drug-resistant characteristics, the use of phage therapy has gained a renewed interest and is continuously expanding.
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Section 1
Bacteriophages are known as viruses that specifically infect bacteria. In terms of human health, bacteriophages are present in the intestinal community, which help with digestion, immune system function, and mental health [textbook chapter 6].
In order for bacteriophages to function in combating bacteria, they must begin an infection cycle. To start, they attach to the surface of a host cell, which is allowed by certain proteins on the host cell surface, called cell-surface receptors [chp 6]. This protein described actually performs a very important function for the host cell, but the bacteriophage has evolved to use it to its advantage, such as attachment. Once attached, the phage injects its genome into the cell through the cell envelope. Once the phage’s DNA is inside the cell, replication in a lytic cycle begins. As many progeny phages are assembled as possible in this lytic cycle [chp 6]. Not only are the phage genomes replicated, but the corresponding enzymes and proteins are also assembled. Once enough progeny phages are created, the host cell lyses, meaning that the cell wall bursts which releases the progeny [chp. 6]. The phage then inserts its DNA into the host cell’s cytoplasm, leading to the expression of phage genes by the host cell RNA polymerase and ribosomes [chp. 6]. Phage genomes are continuously replicated, along with enzymes and ribosomes that then produce the phage capsid proteins. Lastly, the phage genome expresses an enzyme that lyses the host cell wall, which releases these completed virus particles [chp. 6]. With the destruction of the host cell wall, this leads to the destruction of the cell, and therefore the bacteria, making it clear that bacteriophages can be instrumental in the killing of bacteria.
Section 2
Include some current research, with at least one figure showing data.
Section 3
Include some current research, with at least one figure showing data.
Section 4
Conclusion
Phage therapy demonstrates massive potential, not only in the medical field but in aspects of agriculture, ecology, and overall public health. Research on the applications of phage therapy is continuing and further depicts possibilities in terms of the expansion of antibiotic resistance. In terms of the medical field, antibiotics have been very successful in the treatment of bacterial infections, but as bacterial resistance is on the rise, so are alternatives of combating these pathogenic infections. Whether through the use of the combination of phage cocktails with antibiotics or genetically modified phages, bacteriophages offer many possibilities for the future of medicine and in combating pathogenic infections.
References
Authored for BIOL 238 Microbiology, taught by Joan Slonczewski, 2021, Kenyon College.
