Molecular anchors on gut phages could open new therapeutic avenues
Phys.org • • health
Key Points:
- Researchers at the HUN-REN Biological Research Centre in Szeged discovered that certain gut bacteriophages (phages) have surface proteins acting as molecular anchors, enabling them to attach to, enter, and persist in human gastrointestinal cells.
- Using genetic engineering, the team enhanced phage adhesion by transferring these proteins to other phages, resulting in increased cellular uptake and prolonged retention in mice, highlighting an evolutionarily advantageous strategy beyond bacterial infection.
- Microscopy revealed that internalized phages traffic to cell organelles like the Golgi apparatus and endoplasmic reticulum through nondegradative pathways, raising questions about their intactness inside cells and potential effects on cellular functions.
- The study reshapes understanding of the gut microbiome by showing that phages interact directly with gut epithelial cells, with adhesion-related genes common among abundant gut phages, suggesting these anchors contribute to their ecological success and stability in healthy guts.
- These insights may inform future phage therapy development by enabling design of phages with improved targeting and retention in human tissues, potentially enhancing therapeutic efficacy against bacterial infections.