Fig. 8: Schematic representation of the lysis of E. faecalis by the phage endolysin Ply2660 and the antimicrobial peptide LL-37.

Enterococcus faecalis is protected against LL-37 by a thick mesh of peptidoglycan. However, Ply2660 degrades the cell wall peptidoglycan of E. faecalis, making the cytoplasmic membrane more accessible to LL-37. Subsequently, LL-37 interacts with the cytoplasmic membrane and inserts itself into lipid bilayers, leading to pore formation in the lipid membranes and lysis of E. faecalis. Thus, the combination of Ply2660 and LL-37 exerts synergistic antimicrobial effects against E. faecalis.