Pyocin as an Alternative for Antibiotic Resistance
Zichat Blessing Kuyet
Department of Biotechnology, Kaduna State University, Kaduna, Nigeria.
Ahmed Akorede Zakarriyah
Department of Microbiology, Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, Kaduna, Nigeria.
Adaobi Fiona Nwokeji
Department of Crop Protection, University of Abuja, FCT, Nigeria.
Faith Omosigho
Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Delta State University, Abraka, Nigeria.
Matthew Babalola
Department of Animal Science, University of Abuja, Gwagwalada, FCT, Nigeria.
Fatimoh Ikeoluwa Egbinola
Department of Animal Science, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria.
Miriam Amarachi Mike
Department of Biochemistry, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria.
Kelechi Emmanuel Amanze
Department of Microbiology, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State, Nigeria.
Goodluck Chibunna Ogboenyie *
Department of Biochemistry, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a major threat to health worldwide. Undermining decades of progress in medical science, pyocin, a bacteriocin synthesized by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, has caught the attention of academics as a viable alternative to conventional antibiotics. In particular, the usefulness of pyocin in combating multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs), such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, is underlined by its properties. This is especially important for pyocin strains that target antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Pyocins are released through bacterial cell lysis and function via various antimicrobial mechanisms. These include depolarization of the bacterial cell membrane or DNA cleavage, making them promising candidates. These properties make pyocins promising candidates for managing antibiotic-resistant infections. Nonetheless, challenges remain in large-scale production, stability, and clinical application. This review elucidates the therapeutic potential of pyocins, examines their mechanisms of action, and identifies avenues for future research.
Keywords: Pyocins, antimicrobial resistance (AMR), pseudomonas aeruginosa, bacteriocins, multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs)