Recombinant plasmid constructs expressing gene for antimicrobial peptide melittin for the therapy of Mycoplasma and chlamydia infections.

Abstract

In view of growing number of pathogenic microbial strain resistant to routine antibiotics, antimicrobial peptides become promising agents for the therapy of infectious diseases. We studied in vivo effects of melittin, an antimicrobial peptide expressed in a recombinant plasmid vector, on infection with urogenital pathogens Chlamydia trachomatis, Mycoplasma hominis, and Mycoplasma gallisepticum. We obtained recombinant plasmid constructs, where melittin gene is under the control of tetracycline-dependent human cytomegalovirus promoter. Inhibition of experimental C. trachomatis, M. hominis, and M. gallisepticum infection after administration of recombinant plasmid vectors expressing melittin gene to BALB/c mice was demonstrated.

• Authors: V N Lazarev, M M Shkarupeta, E S Kostryukova, S A Levitskii, G A Titova, T A Akopian, V M Govorun
• Journal: Bulletin of experimental biology and medicine (Bull Exp Biol Med) Vol. 144 Issue 3 Pg. 452-6 (Sep 2007) ISSN: 0007-4888 [Print] United States
• PMID: 18457054 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides
• Melitten

Topics

• Animals
• Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides (genetics, therapeutic use)
• Chickens
• Chlamydia Infections (therapy)
• Chlamydia trachomatis
• Drug Resistance, Bacterial
• Female
• Genetic Therapy (methods)
• Genetic Vectors (genetics, metabolism)
• Humans
• Melitten (genetics, therapeutic use)
• Mice
• Mice, Inbred BALB C
• Mycoplasma Infections (therapy)
• Mycoplasma gallisepticum
• Mycoplasma hominis
• Plasmids (genetics, metabolism)