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The use of these enzymes as reagents for nucleic acid extraction shortens the time and increases the nucleic acid yield, which is greatly advantageous.
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RU 621, 625, 651, 654, 755, 764, & 885 Descriptions The extraction and purification of genetic material from cells is often the first and most crucial step in life sciences research. Gram-positive bacteria, which contain thick cell walls, pose a challenge for efficient and effective nucleic acid extraction in this regard. Dr. Vincent A. Fischetti and his research group have developed an effective enzyme-based nucleic acid extraction system. A group of enzymes isolated from viruses that infect specific bacteria (bacteriophages) was discovered as a potential antibacterial agent, and their mode of action is to compromise the integrity of the bacterial cell wall or membrane resulting in rapid lysis of the bacterial cell. Once the cell wall is removed, it is fairly straightforward to obtain the DNA or RNA for subsequent experiments, such as PCR, cloning, sequencing, and proteomics. The use of these enzymes as reagents for nucleic acid extraction shortens the time and increases the nucleic acid yield, which is greatly advantageous. Several lysins available for licensing include: Bacterial Target RU Reference Number Lysin Name Patent References Anthrax only 625 Ply G US Pat. 7,402,309 US Pat. 8,580,553 Schuch et al., Nature 2002, 418:884 Anthrax B. cereus B. thuriengensis 651 Gamma & W US Pat. 7,638,600 Schuch & Fischetti., J. Bacteriol. 2006, 188: 3037-3051 Anthrax only 755 Ply PH US Pat 8,389,469 Yoong et al., J Bacteriol. 2006, 188 (7): 2711 S. pneumoniae 621 Pal US Pat. 7,569,223 S. pneumoniae 960 CPL-1 dimer WO/2013/052643 All Enterococci 654 Ply V12 US Pat. 7,582,291 Yoong et al., J Bacteriol. 2004, 186 (14):4808-4812 Group B Streptococcus 764 Ply GBS US Pat 8,105,585 Cheng Q & Fischetti VA, Appl. Microb. Biotechnol. 2007, 74: 1284-1291. All Staphylococci 885 Cly S US Pat 8,840,900 Daniel et al., Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy 2010, 54: 1603-1612 Advantage Highly specific for different bacterial strains. Application Development of research reagents for the effective lysis of specific bacterial cells. Stage of Development Discovery –in vivo data available.