Structural analysis of the cell wall of Clostridioides difficile using lytic enzyme of bacteriophage

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K16250
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 49050:Bacteriology-related
• Research Institution: Kitasato University
• Principal Investigator: Take Akira 北里大学, 医学部, 助教 (30818399)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: C. difficile感染症 / C. difficile / 細胞壁 / ペプチドグリカン / バクテリオファージ / 溶菌酵素

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Clostridioides difficile bacterial infection produces severe diarrhea and enteritis. Therefore, it is essential to establish an effective disinfection method to control the infection. To accomplish this objective, it is important to study the structure of the cell wall of C. difficile. This study was focused on the analysis of the cell wall structure of C. difficile using a bacteriophage lytic enzyme activity. The cell wall was purified using various physical and chemical treatments. Following the application of two types of lytic enzymes to the cell wall, the cell wall decomposition products were analyzed using liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) methods.

Free Research Field

細菌学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

クロストリディオイデス・ディフィシル感染症（CDI）は、世界的に罹患率の高い疾患であり、経済面においても深刻な課題となっている。米国疾病管理予防センター (CDC) では、ディフィシル菌を「urgent threat」に分類しており、緊急に解決すべき課題である。ディフィシル菌の細胞壁構造を理解することで、溶菌酵素の殺菌メカニズムを解明することが可能となる。本研究を発展させることで、ディフィシル菌の殺菌効果を示す消毒薬の開発に貢献できる。