Challenges of using protein antibiotics for pathogen control

Abstract

Bacterial phytopathogens represent a significant threat to many economically important crops. Current control measures often inflict harm on the environment and may ultimately impact on human health through the spread of antibiotic resistance. Antimicrobial proteins such as bacteriocins have been suggested as the next generation of disease control agents since they are able to specifically target the pathogen of interest with minimal impact on the wider microbial community and environment. However, substantial gaps in knowledge with regards to the efficacy and application of bacteriocins to combat phytopathogenic bacteria remain. Here we highlight the immediate challenges the community must address to ensure maximum exploitation of antimicrobial proteins in the field. © 2021 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

Success, despite another plague year

“…Three reviews were related to chemical management of plant pathogens 60–62 . The use of phosphonates (phosphorous acid, phosphonic acid, and phosphite) as fungicides is reviewed 60 .…”

“…The use of phosphonates (phosphorous acid, phosphonic acid, and phosphite) as fungicides is reviewed 60 . The potential for the use of protein‐based antibiotics ( e.g ., bacteriocins) for management of bacterial phytopathogens is discussed 61 . Lastly, the past, present, and potential future use of chemical elicitors of crop plant defenses to plant pathogens is reviewed 62 …”

Ethylicin Inhibition of Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzicola In Vitro and In Vivo

“…3 Prevention of crop losses caused by pests such as bacteria and plant pathogens is vital to ensure food security. 4 Much effort has been devoted to the study of the dynamic reactions triggered by bacterial infestation of plants and the consequent changes in gene expression patterns. 5,6 Although some research has focused on understanding the molecular processes whereby various bacterial plant pathogens and their hosts adapt to each other, the interactions between Xoc and rice during infection remain unclear.…”

“…When the circumstances favor Xoc infection, BLS can affect entire farms and cause losses of up to 32% of the yield . Prevention of crop losses caused by pests such as bacteria and plant pathogens is vital to ensure food security …”

Fabrication of Host–Guest Complexes between Adamantane-Functionalized 1,3,4-Oxadiazoles and β-Cyclodextrin with Improved Control Efficiency against Intractable Plant Bacterial Diseases

“…The widespread phytopathogenic bacteria are one of the world’s major agricultural pests that severely degrade the quality and output of agricultural products annually, thereby directly threatening the global food security. − Once invaded by these highly virulent pathogens, the normal growth of plants can be heavily disrupted, consequently leading to plant developmental changes and final disease symptom formation, including the common deformity, spots, etiolation, blight, canker, and decomposition. − Among the top 10 pathogens, Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae ( Xoo ), Xanthomonas axonopodis pv.…”