Engineered probiotics that produce antibiotic binding sites: A potential strategy to protect gut microbiome and prevent antibiotic resistance

Abstract

Antibiotics play a pivotal role in combating infectious diseases globally, but their widespread use damages the gut microbiome, resulting in various diseases and the emergence and spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Reducing gut exposure to antibiotics during treatments is crucial for maintaining gut homeostasis. We suggest using edible engineered probiotics that express genes encoding antibiotic-binding peptides as a novel method to neutralize antibiotics and protect the gut flora. To produce these genetically modified organisms, CRISPR-Cas or other genome editing methods can be utilized. By inserting the gene encoding antibiotic-binding peptides along with the secretion complex into the probiotic, these engineered probiotics produce and secrete these peptides. The peptides that mimic natural antibiotic-binding sites specifically bind to and neutralize the intestinal drug residues (the administered antibiotics for infections outside the gut) and preserve the gut microbiome. Since the probiotics colonize and secrete these peptides in the distal intestine, antibiotic absorption in the proximal intestine remains unaffected. Using these engineered probiotics may reduce the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and prevent pathogen colonization. Further research in this area could advance the development of this promising approach.