TOXIN-PHAGE BACTERIOCIDE ANTIBIOTIC AND USES THEREOF

摘要

The invention provides intracellular peptide toxins capable of killing bacterial and eukaryotic cells when present within the cell, while substantially lacking the ability to kill such cells when present externally. The invention also provides recombinant bacteriophage containing nucleic acid sequences encoding intracellular peptide toxins, and methods of using such bacteriophage to kill bacteria. Furthermore, the invention provides compositions, including pharmaceutical compositions, which can be used to kill bacteria or inhibit the growth of bacteria both in vitro and in vivo. Methods of treating a bacterial infection in a subject are also provided by the invention.