Genetically Encoded Photosensitizers as Light-Triggered Antimicrobial Agents

International Journal of Molecular Sciences

NoraLisa Bitzenhofer¹  Fabienne Hilgers¹  Karl-Erich Jaeger¹  Thomas Drepper¹  Yannic Ackermann¹  Alina Burmeister²  Alexander Grünberger² 

[1] Institute of Molecular Enzyme Technology, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, D-52428 Jülich, Germany;Multiscale Bioengineering, Bielefeld University, D-33501 Bielefeld, Germany;

关键词: photosensitizer (PS);    light-oxygen-voltage (LOV) proteins;    antimicrobial photodynamic inactivation (aPDI);    green fluorescent protein (GFP);    flavin-binding fluorescent protein (FbFP);    optogenetics;    extracellular phototoxicity;    antibiotics;   

DOI  :  10.3390/ijms20184608

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Diseases caused by multi-drug resistant pathogens have become a global concern. Therefore, new approaches suitable for treating these bacteria are urgently needed. In this study, we analyzed genetically encoded photosensitizers (PS) related to the green fluorescent protein (GFP) or light-oxygen-voltage (LOV) photoreceptors for their exogenous applicability as light-triggered antimicrobial agents. Depending on their specific photophysical properties and photochemistry, these PSs can produce different toxic ROS (reactive oxygen species) such as O₂^•− and H₂O₂ via type-I, as well as ¹O₂ via type-II reaction in response to light. By using cell viability assays and microfluidics, we could demonstrate differences in the intracellular and extracellular phototoxicity of the applied PS. While intracellular expression and exogenous supply of GFP-related PSs resulted in a slow inactivation of E. coli and pathogenic Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, illumination of LOV-based PSs such as the singlet oxygen photosensitizing protein SOPP3 resulted in a fast and homogeneous killing of these microbes. Furthermore, our data indicate that the ROS type and yield as well as the localization of the applied PS protein can strongly influence the antibacterial spectrum and efficacy. These findings open up new opportunities for photodynamic inactivation of pathogenic bacteria.

【 授权许可】

Unknown