Investigation of Efficient Local Bacterial Isolates Producing L-methionase

Abstract

Introduction: L-methioninase is one of the few enzymes that have a high therapeutic value since it was reported as an effective anti-cancer agent against different types of malignant cell lines like lung, colon, and breast. The distribution of methionine-gamma-lyase (MGL) as an intracellular enzyme in all microbial pathogens, but not in humans, makes it a promising drug target for antibacterial, antifungal, and antiprotozoal therapies. MGL is intracellularly present in bacteria. Both gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria have been reported to produce L-methioninase. Screening involves the use of selection procedures for the isolation of high-yielding species from natural sources such as soil, plants, water, and animals containing a heterogeneous large microbial population.
Method: One hundred and thirty-seven samples collected from different sources were screened for the isolation of methioninase-producing bacteria based on morphological and biochemical characteristics and then only the two best isolates for MGL production (17 and 111) were selected. These were subjected to molecular characterisation by 16S rRNA sequencing.
Results: The Blast sequence analysis in the NCBI database showed a sequence similarity of isolate 17 to Serratia sp. with 99% similarity and that of 111 to Serratia marcescens with 99% similarity. Conclusion: The sequences were deposited in the NCBI database as Serratia sp. NDM25 with accession number op564989 and Serratia marcescens NDM73 with accession number op564990.

How to cite this article:
Khalaf ZN, Al-Rawi DF, Al-Ani MQ. Investigation of Efficient Local Bacterial Isolates Producing L-methioninase. J Commun Dis. 2023;55(4):29-35.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.24321/0019.5138.202350