Ramakrishnan R, Singh AK, Singh S, Chakravortty D, Das D. Enzymatic Dispersion of Biofilms: An Emerging Biocatalytic Avenue to Combat Biofilm-Mediated Microbial Infections.
J Biol Chem 2022;
298:102352. [PMID:
35940306 PMCID:
PMC9478923 DOI:
10.1016/j.jbc.2022.102352]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2022] [Revised: 08/02/2022] [Accepted: 08/03/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Drug resistance by pathogenic microbes has emerged as a matter of great concern to mankind. Microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi employ multiple defense mechanisms against drugs and the host immune system. A major line of microbial defense is the biofilm, which comprises extracellular polymeric substances that are produced by the population of microorganisms. Around 80% of chronic bacterial infections are associated with biofilms. The presence of biofilms can increase the necessity of doses of certain antibiotics up to 1000-fold to combat infection. Thus, there is an urgent need for strategies to eradicate biofilms. Although a few physicochemical methods have been developed to prevent and treat biofilms, these methods have poor efficacy and biocompatibility. In this review, we discuss the existing strategies to combat biofilms and their challenges. Subsequently, we spotlight the potential of enzymes, in particular, polysaccharide degrading enzymes, for biofilm dispersion, which might lead to facile antimicrobial treatment of biofilm-associated infections.
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