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Twomey E, O’Connor PM, Coffey A, Kiste M, Guinane CM, Hill C, Field D, Begley M. Inhibition of Clinical MRSA Isolates by Coagulase Negative Staphylococci of Human Origin. Antibiotics (Basel) 2024; 13:338. [PMID: 38667016 PMCID: PMC11047365 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics13040338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2024] [Revised: 03/29/2024] [Accepted: 03/30/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Staphylococcus aureus is frequently highlighted as a priority for novel drug research due to its pathogenicity and ability to develop antibiotic resistance. Coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) are resident flora of the skin and nares. Previous studies have confirmed their ability to kill and prevent colonization by S. aureus through the production of bioactive substances. This study screened a bank of 37 CoNS for their ability to inhibit the growth of methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA). Deferred antagonism assays, growth curves, and antibiofilm testing performed with the cell-free supernatant derived from overnight CoNS cultures indicated antimicrobial and antibiofilm effects against MRSA indicators. Whole genome sequencing and BAGEL4 analysis of 11 CoNS isolates shortlisted for the inhibitory effects they displayed against MRSA led to the identification of two strains possessing complete putative bacteriocin operons. The operons were predicted to encode a nukacin variant and a novel epilancin variant. From this point, strains Staphylococcus hominis C14 and Staphylococcus epidermidis C33 became the focus of the investigation. Through HPLC, a peptide identical to previously characterized nukacin KQU-131 and a novel epilancin variant were isolated from cultures of C14 and C33, respectively. Mass spectrometry confirmed the presence of each peptide in the active fractions. Spot-on-lawn assays demonstrated both bacteriocins could inhibit the growth of an MRSA indicator. The identification of natural products with clinically relevant activity is important in today's climate of escalating antimicrobial resistance and a depleting antibiotic pipeline. These findings also highlight the prospective role CoNS may play as a source of bioactive substances with activity against critical pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellen Twomey
- Department of Biological Sciences, Munster Technological University, T12 P928 Cork, Ireland; (E.T.); (A.C.); (C.M.G.)
- APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, T12 YN60 Cork, Ireland;
| | | | - Aidan Coffey
- Department of Biological Sciences, Munster Technological University, T12 P928 Cork, Ireland; (E.T.); (A.C.); (C.M.G.)
- APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, T12 YN60 Cork, Ireland;
| | - Maija Kiste
- Department of Biological Sciences, Munster Technological University, T12 P928 Cork, Ireland; (E.T.); (A.C.); (C.M.G.)
| | - Caitriona M. Guinane
- Department of Biological Sciences, Munster Technological University, T12 P928 Cork, Ireland; (E.T.); (A.C.); (C.M.G.)
| | - Colin Hill
- APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, T12 YN60 Cork, Ireland;
- School of Microbiology, University College Cork, T12 YN60 Cork, Ireland
| | - Des Field
- APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, T12 YN60 Cork, Ireland;
- School of Microbiology, University College Cork, T12 YN60 Cork, Ireland
| | - Máire Begley
- Department of Biological Sciences, Munster Technological University, T12 P928 Cork, Ireland; (E.T.); (A.C.); (C.M.G.)
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2
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Puls JS, Winnerling B, Power JJ, Krüger AM, Brajtenbach D, Johnson M, Bilici K, Camus L, Fließwasser T, Schneider T, Sahl HG, Ghosal D, Kubitscheck U, Heilbronner S, Grein F. Staphylococcus epidermidis bacteriocin A37 kills natural competitors with a unique mechanism of action. THE ISME JOURNAL 2024; 18:wrae044. [PMID: 38470311 PMCID: PMC10988021 DOI: 10.1093/ismejo/wrae044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2024] [Revised: 03/01/2024] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024]
Abstract
Many bacteria produce antimicrobial compounds such as lantibiotics to gain advantage in the competitive natural environments of microbiomes. Epilancins constitute an until now underexplored family of lantibiotics with an unknown ecological role and unresolved mode of action. We discovered production of an epilancin in the nasal isolate Staphylococcus epidermidis A37. Using bioinformatic tools, we found that epilancins are frequently encoded within staphylococcal genomes, highlighting their ecological relevance. We demonstrate that production of epilancin A37 contributes to Staphylococcus epidermidis competition specifically against natural corynebacterial competitors. Combining microbiological approaches with quantitative in vivo and in vitro fluorescence microscopy and cryo-electron tomography, we show that A37 enters the corynebacterial cytoplasm through a partially transmembrane-potential-driven uptake without impairing the cell membrane function. Upon intracellular aggregation, A37 induces the formation of intracellular membrane vesicles, which are heavily loaded with the compound and are essential for the antibacterial activity of the epilancin. Our work sheds light on the ecological role of epilancins for staphylococci mediated by a mode of action previously unknown for lantibiotics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan-Samuel Puls
- Institute for Pharmaceutical Microbiology, University Hospital Bonn, University of Bonn, 53115 Bonn, Germany
| | - Benjamin Winnerling
- Institute for Pharmaceutical Microbiology, University Hospital Bonn, University of Bonn, 53115 Bonn, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Bonn-Cologne, 53115 Bonn, Germany
| | - Jeffrey J Power
- Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine, Department of Infection Biology, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Annika M Krüger
- Clausius Institute of Physical and Theoretical Chemistry, University of Bonn, 53115 Bonn, Germany
| | - Dominik Brajtenbach
- Clausius Institute of Physical and Theoretical Chemistry, University of Bonn, 53115 Bonn, Germany
| | - Matthew Johnson
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
- ARC Centre for Cryo-electron Microscopy of Membrane Proteins, Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Kevser Bilici
- Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine, Department of Infection Biology, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Laura Camus
- Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine, Department of Infection Biology, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Thomas Fließwasser
- Institute for Pharmaceutical Microbiology, University Hospital Bonn, University of Bonn, 53115 Bonn, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Bonn-Cologne, 53115 Bonn, Germany
| | - Tanja Schneider
- Institute for Pharmaceutical Microbiology, University Hospital Bonn, University of Bonn, 53115 Bonn, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Bonn-Cologne, 53115 Bonn, Germany
| | - Hans-Georg Sahl
- Institute for Pharmaceutical Microbiology, University Hospital Bonn, University of Bonn, 53115 Bonn, Germany
| | - Debnath Ghosal
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
- ARC Centre for Cryo-electron Microscopy of Membrane Proteins, Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Ulrich Kubitscheck
- Clausius Institute of Physical and Theoretical Chemistry, University of Bonn, 53115 Bonn, Germany
| | - Simon Heilbronner
- Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine, Department of Infection Biology, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
- Present address: Faculty of Biology, Microbiology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, 82152 München, Germany
| | - Fabian Grein
- Institute for Pharmaceutical Microbiology, University Hospital Bonn, University of Bonn, 53115 Bonn, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Bonn-Cologne, 53115 Bonn, Germany
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3
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Wu C, Lower BA, Moreira R, Dorantes D, Le T, Giurgiu C, Shi Y, van der Donk WA. Investigation into the mechanism of action of the antimicrobial peptide epilancin 15X. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1247222. [PMID: 38029153 PMCID: PMC10652874 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1247222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Addressing the current antibiotic-resistance challenge would be aided by the identification of compounds with novel mechanisms of action. Epilancin 15X, a lantibiotic produced by Staphylococcus epidermidis 15 × 154, displays antimicrobial activity in the submicromolar range against a subset of pathogenic Gram-positive bacteria. S. epidermidis is a common member of the human skin or mucosal microbiota. We here investigated the mechanism of action of epilancin 15X. The compound is bactericidal against Staphylococcus carnosus as well as Bacillus subtilis and appears to kill these bacteria by membrane disruption. Structure-activity relationship studies using engineered analogs show that its conserved positively charged residues and dehydroamino acids are important for bioactivity, but the N-terminal lactyl group is tolerant of changes. Epilancin 15X treatment negatively affects fatty acid synthesis, RNA translation, and DNA replication and transcription without affecting cell wall biosynthesis. The compound appears localized to the surface of bacteria and is most potent in disrupting the membranes of liposomes composed of negatively charged membrane lipids in a lipid II independent manner. Epilancin 15X does not elicit a LiaRS response in B. subtilis but did upregulate VraRS in S. carnosus. Treatment of S. carnosus or B. subtilis with epilancin 15X resulted in an aggregation phenotype in microscopy experiments. Collectively these studies provide new information on epilancin 15X activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunyu Wu
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana−Champaign, Champaign, IL, United States
| | - B. Alexis Lower
- Department of Chemistry, The Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Illinois at Urbana−Champaign, Champaign, IL, United States
| | - Ryan Moreira
- Department of Chemistry, The Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Illinois at Urbana−Champaign, Champaign, IL, United States
| | - Darian Dorantes
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana−Champaign, Champaign, IL, United States
| | - Tung Le
- Department of Chemistry, The Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Illinois at Urbana−Champaign, Champaign, IL, United States
| | - Constantin Giurgiu
- Department of Chemistry, The Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Illinois at Urbana−Champaign, Champaign, IL, United States
| | - Yanxiang Shi
- Department of Chemistry, The Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Illinois at Urbana−Champaign, Champaign, IL, United States
| | - Wilfred A. van der Donk
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana−Champaign, Champaign, IL, United States
- Department of Chemistry, The Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Illinois at Urbana−Champaign, Champaign, IL, United States
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4
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Fernández-Fernández R, Lozano C, Reuben RC, Ruiz-Ripa L, Zarazaga M, Torres C. Comprehensive Approaches for the Search and Characterization of Staphylococcins. Microorganisms 2023; 11:1329. [PMID: 37317303 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11051329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2023] [Revised: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Novel and sustainable approaches are required to curb the increasing threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Within the last decades, antimicrobial peptides, especially bacteriocins, have received increased attention and are being explored as suitable alternatives to antibiotics. Bacteriocins are ribosomally synthesized antimicrobial peptides produced by bacteria as a self-preservation method against competitors. Bacteriocins produced by Staphylococcus, also referred to as staphylococcins, have steadily shown great antimicrobial potential and are currently being considered promising candidates to mitigate the AMR menace. Moreover, several bacteriocin-producing Staphylococcus isolates of different species, especially coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS), have been described and are being targeted as a good alternative. This revision aims to help researchers in the search and characterization of staphylococcins, so we provide an up-to-date list of bacteriocin produced by Staphylococcus. Moreover, a universal nucleotide and amino acid-based phylogeny system of the well-characterized staphylococcins is proposed that could be of interest in the classification and search for these promising antimicrobials. Finally, we discuss the state of art of the staphylococcin applications and an overview of the emerging concerns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosa Fernández-Fernández
- Area of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, OneHealth-UR Research Group, University of La Rioja, 26006 Logroño, Spain
| | - Carmen Lozano
- Area of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, OneHealth-UR Research Group, University of La Rioja, 26006 Logroño, Spain
| | - Rine Christopher Reuben
- Area of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, OneHealth-UR Research Group, University of La Rioja, 26006 Logroño, Spain
| | - Laura Ruiz-Ripa
- Area of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, OneHealth-UR Research Group, University of La Rioja, 26006 Logroño, Spain
| | - Myriam Zarazaga
- Area of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, OneHealth-UR Research Group, University of La Rioja, 26006 Logroño, Spain
| | - Carmen Torres
- Area of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, OneHealth-UR Research Group, University of La Rioja, 26006 Logroño, Spain
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5
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Castillo-Ruiz M, Daille LK, Machuca P, Bittner M. Antibacterial activity of a complex bacteriocin secreted by Staphylococcus epidermidis against Porphyromonas gingivalis. Arch Oral Biol 2023; 152:105730. [PMID: 37209589 DOI: 10.1016/j.archoralbio.2023.105730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Revised: 03/24/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To characterize the inhibitory activity of a novel bacteriocin produced by Staphylococcus epidermidis against this periodontal pathogen. DESIGN The bacteriocin activity was evaluated by the agar diffusion method over a lawn of P. gingivalis ATCC 33277. The bacteriocin was purified by Reverse Phase-High Performance Liquid Chromatography (RP-HPLC) and Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization -Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS). In addition, the bacteriocin host specificity, production on different media cultures and susceptibility to enzymes, pH, and heat treatment were determined. RESULTS The bacteriocin BAC 14990 was selective to P. gingivalis, suggesting a narrow activity range. The production during the growth curve indicated that S. epidermidis had a continued production of this antimicrobial, showing the highest concentration in the stationary phase. The purification of BAC 14990 showed that bacteriocin had a molecular mass of 5795 Da. BAC 14990 was partially resistant to the treatment with proteinase K and papain, however, was fully susceptible to amylase treatment indicating the presence of sugar residues in the protein, suggesting a conjugated type of bacteriocin. Also, this diffusible inhibitory substance was heat and pH treatment resistant. CONCLUSIONS The results indicate the isolation of a new staphylococcal complex bacteriocin that is able to eliminate a Gram-negative bacterium. These results could contribute to the development of treatments directed against pathogens in mixed communities, as is the case with oral diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario Castillo-Ruiz
- Departamento de Ciencias Químicas y Biológicas, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Bernardo O'Higgins, General Gana 1702, Santiago 8370854, Chile; Chile Escuela de Química y Farmacia, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Andres Bello, Sazié 2320, Santiago 8370134, Chile
| | - Leslie K Daille
- Centro GEMA-Genómica, Ecología & Medio Ambiente, Universidad Mayor, Camino La Pirámide 5750, Santiago 8580745, Chile
| | - Pamela Machuca
- Laboratorio de Microbiología y Biotecnología Oral, Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andres Bello, Echaurren 237, 8370133 Santiago, Chile
| | - Mauricio Bittner
- Laboratorio de Microbiología y Biotecnología Oral, Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andres Bello, Echaurren 237, 8370133 Santiago, Chile; Facultad de Odontología, Universidad Andres Bello, Echaurren 237, Santiago 8370133, Chile.
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6
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Knospe CV, Kamel M, Spitz O, Hoeppner A, Galle S, Reiners J, Kedrov A, Smits SHJ, Schmitt L. The structure of MadC from Clostridium maddingley reveals new insights into class I lanthipeptide cyclases. Front Microbiol 2023; 13:1057217. [PMID: 36741885 PMCID: PMC9889658 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.1057217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
The rapid emergence of microbial multi-resistance against antibiotics has led to intense search for alternatives. One of these alternatives are ribosomally synthesized and post-translationally modified peptides (RiPPs), especially lantibiotics. They are active in a low nanomolar range and their high stability is due to the presence of characteristic (methyl-) lanthionine rings, which makes them promising candidates as bacteriocides. However, innate resistance against lantibiotics exists in nature, emphasizing the need for artificial or tailor-made lantibiotics. Obviously, such an approach requires an in-depth mechanistic understanding of the modification enzymes, which catalyze the formation of (methyl-)lanthionine rings. Here, we determined the structure of a class I cyclase (MadC), involved in the modification of maddinglicin (MadA) via X-ray crystallography at a resolution of 1.7 Å, revealing new insights about the structural composition of the catalytical site. These structural features and substrate binding were analyzed by mutational analyses of the leader peptide as well as of the cyclase, shedding light into the mode of action of MadC.
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Affiliation(s)
- C. Vivien Knospe
- Institute of Biochemistry, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Michael Kamel
- Synthetic Membrane Systems, Institute of Biochemistry, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Olivia Spitz
- Institute of Biochemistry, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Astrid Hoeppner
- Center for Structural Studies, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Stefanie Galle
- Center for Structural Studies, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Jens Reiners
- Center for Structural Studies, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Alexej Kedrov
- Synthetic Membrane Systems, Institute of Biochemistry, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Sander H. J. Smits
- Institute of Biochemistry, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany,Center for Structural Studies, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Lutz Schmitt
- Institute of Biochemistry, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany,*Correspondence: Lutz Schmitt, ✉
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7
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Khusro A, Aarti C. Metabolic heterogeneity and techno-functional attributes of fermented foods-associated coagulase-negative staphylococci. Food Microbiol 2022; 105:104028. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fm.2022.104028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2021] [Revised: 03/13/2022] [Accepted: 03/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
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8
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Torres Salazar BO, Heilbronner S, Peschel A, Krismer B. Secondary Metabolites Governing Microbiome Interaction of Staphylococcal Pathogens and Commensals. Microb Physiol 2021; 31:198-216. [PMID: 34325424 DOI: 10.1159/000517082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2021] [Accepted: 05/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Various Staphylococcus species colonize skin and upper airways of warm-blooded animals. They compete successfully with many other microorganisms under the hostile and nutrient-poor conditions of these habitats using mechanisms that we are only beginning to appreciate. Small-molecule mediators, whose biosynthesis requires complex enzymatic cascades, so-called secondary metabolites, have emerged as crucial components of staphylococcal microbiome interactions. Such mediators belong to a large variety of compound classes and several of them have attractive properties for future drug development. They include, for instance, bacteriocins such as lanthipeptides, thiopeptides, and fibupeptides that inhibit bacterial competitor species; signaling molecules such as thiolactone peptides that induce or inhibit sensory cascades in other bacteria; or metallophores such as staphyloferrins and staphylopine that scavenge scant transition metal ions. For some secondary metabolites such as the aureusimines, the exact function remains to be elucidated. How secondary metabolites shape the fitness of Staphylococcus species in the complex context of other microbial and host defense factors remains a challenging field of future research. A detailed understanding will help to harness staphylococcal secondary metabolites for excluding the pathogenic species Staphylococcus aureus from the nasal microbiomes of at-risk patients, and it will be instrumental for the development of advanced anti-infective interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin O Torres Salazar
- Department of Infection Biology, Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,Cluster of Excellence EXC 2124 Controlling Microbes to Fight Infections, Tübingen, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Simon Heilbronner
- Department of Infection Biology, Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,Cluster of Excellence EXC 2124 Controlling Microbes to Fight Infections, Tübingen, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Andreas Peschel
- Department of Infection Biology, Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,Cluster of Excellence EXC 2124 Controlling Microbes to Fight Infections, Tübingen, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Bernhard Krismer
- Department of Infection Biology, Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,Cluster of Excellence EXC 2124 Controlling Microbes to Fight Infections, Tübingen, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
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9
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Aftab Uddin M, Akter S, Ferdous M, Haidar B, Amin A, Shofiul Islam Molla AHM, Khan H, Islam MR. A plant endophyte Staphylococcus hominis strain MBL_AB63 produces a novel lantibiotic, homicorcin and a position one variant. Sci Rep 2021; 11:11211. [PMID: 34045548 PMCID: PMC8159966 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-90613-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2021] [Accepted: 05/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Here we report a jute endophyte Staphylococcus hominis strain MBL_AB63 isolated from jute seeds which showed promising antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus SG511 when screening for antimicrobial substances. The whole genome sequence of this strain, annotated using BAGEL4 and antiSMASH 5.0 to predict the gene clusters for antimicrobial substances identified a novel antimicrobial peptide cluster that belongs to the class I lantibiotic group. The predicted lantibiotic (homicorcin) was found to be 82% similar to a reported peptide epicidin 280 having a difference of seven amino acids at several positions of the core peptide. Two distinct peaks obtained at close retention times from a RP-HPLC purified fraction have comparable antimicrobial activities and LC-MS revealed the molecular mass of these peaks to be 3046.5 and 3043.2 Da. The presence of an oxidoreductase (homO) similar to that of epicidin 280- associated eciO or epilancin 15X- associated elxO in the homicorcin gene cluster is predicted to be responsible for the reduction of the first dehydrated residue dehydroalanine (Dha) to 2-hydroxypropionate that causes an increase of 3 Da mass of homicorcin 1. Trypsin digestion of the core peptide and its variant followed by ESI-MS analysis suggests the presence of three ring structures, one in the N-terminal and other two interlocking rings at the C-terminal region that remain undigested. Homicorcin exerts bactericidal activity against susceptible cells by disrupting the integrity of the cytoplasmic membrane through pore formation as observed under FE-SEM.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Aftab Uddin
- Molecular Biology Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Dhaka, Dhaka, 1000, Bangladesh
- Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Dhaka, Dhaka, 1000, Bangladesh
| | - Shammi Akter
- Molecular Biology Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Dhaka, Dhaka, 1000, Bangladesh
| | - Mahbuba Ferdous
- Molecular Biology Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Dhaka, Dhaka, 1000, Bangladesh
- Plant Biotechnology Division, National Institute of Biotechnology, Ganakbari, Ashuliya, Savar, Dhaka, 1349, Bangladesh
| | - Badrul Haidar
- Molecular Biology Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Dhaka, Dhaka, 1000, Bangladesh
- Divisional DNA Screening Laboratory, Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital, Sylhet, 3100, Bangladesh
| | - Al Amin
- Molecular Biology Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Dhaka, Dhaka, 1000, Bangladesh
| | - A H M Shofiul Islam Molla
- Institute of National Analytical Research and Service, Bangladesh Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (BCSIR), Dhaka, 1205, Bangladesh
| | - Haseena Khan
- Molecular Biology Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Dhaka, Dhaka, 1000, Bangladesh.
| | - Mohammad Riazul Islam
- Molecular Biology Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Dhaka, Dhaka, 1000, Bangladesh.
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10
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França A, Gaio V, Lopes N, Melo LDR. Virulence Factors in Coagulase-Negative Staphylococci. Pathogens 2021; 10:170. [PMID: 33557202 PMCID: PMC7913919 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10020170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2020] [Revised: 01/29/2021] [Accepted: 01/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) have emerged as major pathogens in healthcare-associated facilities, being S. epidermidis, S. haemolyticus and, more recently, S. lugdunensis, the most clinically relevant species. Despite being less virulent than the well-studied pathogen S. aureus, the number of CoNS strains sequenced is constantly increasing and, with that, the number of virulence factors identified in those strains. In this regard, biofilm formation is considered the most important. Besides virulence factors, the presence of several antibiotic-resistance genes identified in CoNS is worrisome and makes treatment very challenging. In this review, we analyzed the different aspects involved in CoNS virulence and their impact on health and food.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela França
- Laboratory of Research in Biofilms Rosário Oliveira, Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal; (V.G.); (N.L.)
| | | | | | - Luís D. R. Melo
- Laboratory of Research in Biofilms Rosário Oliveira, Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal; (V.G.); (N.L.)
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11
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de Freire Bastos MDC, Miceli de Farias F, Carlin Fagundes P, Varella Coelho ML. Staphylococcins: an update on antimicrobial peptides produced by staphylococci and their diverse potential applications. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2020; 104:10339-10368. [PMID: 33128614 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-020-10946-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2020] [Revised: 09/28/2020] [Accepted: 10/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Staphylococcins are antimicrobial peptides or proteins produced by staphylococci. They can be separated into different classes, depending on their amino acid composition, structural complexity, and steps involved in their production. In this review, an overview of the current knowledge on staphylococcins will be presented with emphasis on the information collected in the last decade, including a brief description of new peptides. Most staphylococcins characterized to date are either lantibiotics or linear class II bacteriocins. Recently, gene clusters coding for production of circular bacteriocins, sactipeptides, and thiopeptides have been mined from the genome of staphylococcal isolates. In contrast to class II bacteriocins, lantibiotics, sactipeptides, and thiopeptides undergo post-translational modifications that can be quite extensive, depending on the peptide. Few staphylococcins inhibit only some staphylococcal species, but most of them have proven to target pathogens belonging to different genera and involved in a variety of infectious diseases of clinical or agronomic importance. Therefore, these peptides exhibit potential application as anti-infective drugs in different areas. This review will also cover this diverse and remarkable potential. To be commercialized, however, staphylococcin production should be cost-effective and result in high bacteriocin yields, which are not generally achieved from the culture supernatant of their native producers. Such low yields make their production quite costly and not suitable at large industrial scale. Efforts already made to overcome this limitation, minimizing costs and time of production of some staphylococcins and employing either chemical synthesis or in vivo biosynthesis, will be addressed in this review as well. KEY POINTS: • Staphylococci produce a variety of antimicrobial peptides known as staphylococcins. • Most staphylococcins are post-translationally modified peptides. • Staphylococcins exhibit potential biotechnological applications. Graphical abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria do Carmo de Freire Bastos
- Departamento de Microbiologia Geral, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
| | - Felipe Miceli de Farias
- Departamento de Microbiologia Geral, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Patrícia Carlin Fagundes
- Departamento de Microbiologia Geral, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Marcus Lívio Varella Coelho
- Departamento de Microbiologia Geral, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.,Instituto Nacional da Propriedade Industrial, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
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12
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Lagedroste M, Reiners J, Knospe CV, Smits SHJ, Schmitt L. A Structural View on the Maturation of Lanthipeptides. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:1183. [PMID: 32582108 PMCID: PMC7296275 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.01183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2020] [Accepted: 05/08/2020] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Lanthipeptides are ribosomally synthesized and posttranslationally modified peptides, which display diverse bioactivities (e.g., antifungal, antimicrobial, and antiviral). One characteristic of these lanthipeptides is the presence of thioether bonds, which are termed (methyl-) lanthionine rings. These modifications are installed by corresponding modification enzymes in a two-step modality. First, serine and threonine residues are dehydrated followed by a subsequent catalyzed cyclization reaction, in which the dehydrated serine and threonine residues are undergoing a Michael-type addition with cysteine residues. The dedicated enzymes are encoded by one or two genes and the classification of lanthipeptides is pending on this. The modification steps form the basis of distinguishing the different classes of lanthipeptides and furthermore reflect also important mechanistic differences. Here, we will summarize recent insights into the mechanisms and the structures of the participating enzymes, focusing on the two core modification steps - dehydration and cyclization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcel Lagedroste
- Institute of Biochemistry, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Jens Reiners
- Institute of Biochemistry, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany.,Center for Structural Studies, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - C Vivien Knospe
- Institute of Biochemistry, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Sander H J Smits
- Institute of Biochemistry, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany.,Center for Structural Studies, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Lutz Schmitt
- Institute of Biochemistry, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
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13
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Wang X, Gu Q, Breukink E. Non-lipid II targeting lantibiotics. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES 2020; 1862:183244. [PMID: 32126235 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2020.183244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2019] [Revised: 02/14/2020] [Accepted: 02/18/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoqi Wang
- Membrane Biochemistry and Biophysics, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Qing Gu
- Key Laboratory for Food Microbial Technology of Zhejiang Province, College of Food Science and Biotechnology, Zhejiang Gongshang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Eefjan Breukink
- Membrane Biochemistry and Biophysics, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands.
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Newstead LL, Varjonen K, Nuttall T, Paterson GK. Staphylococcal-Produced Bacteriocins and Antimicrobial Peptides: Their Potential as Alternative Treatments for Staphylococcus aureus Infections. Antibiotics (Basel) 2020; 9:antibiotics9020040. [PMID: 31973108 PMCID: PMC7168290 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics9020040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2019] [Revised: 01/16/2020] [Accepted: 01/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Staphylococcus aureus is an important pathogen of both humans and animals, implicated in a wide range of infections. The emergence of antibiotic resistance has resulted in S. aureus strains that are resistant to almost all available antibiotics, making treatment a clinical challenge. Development of novel antimicrobial approaches is now a priority worldwide. Bacteria produce a range of antimicrobial peptides; the most diverse of these being bacteriocins. Bacteriocins are ribosomally synthesised peptides, displaying potent antimicrobial activity usually against bacteria phylogenetically related to the producer strain. Several bacteriocins have been isolated from commensal coagulase-negative staphylococci, many of which display inhibitory activity against S. aureus in vitro and in vivo. The ability of these bacteriocins to target biofilm formation and their novel mechanisms of action with efficacy against antibiotic-resistant bacteria make them strong candidates as novel therapeutic antimicrobials. The use of genome-mining tools will help to advance identification and classification of bacteriocins. This review discusses the staphylococcal-derived antimicrobial peptides displaying promise as novel treatments for S. aureus infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Logan L. Newstead
- Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and The Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush Campus, Midlothian EH25 9RG, UK; (L.L.N.); (T.N.)
| | - Katarina Varjonen
- AniCura Djursjukhuset Albano, Rinkebyvägen 21A, 182 36 Danderyd, Sweden;
| | - Tim Nuttall
- Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and The Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush Campus, Midlothian EH25 9RG, UK; (L.L.N.); (T.N.)
| | - Gavin K. Paterson
- Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and The Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush Campus, Midlothian EH25 9RG, UK; (L.L.N.); (T.N.)
- Correspondence:
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15
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Virgicin, a novel lanthipeptide from Virgibacillus sp. strain AK90 exhibits inhibitory activity against Gram-positive bacteria. World J Microbiol Biotechnol 2019; 35:133. [PMID: 31432254 DOI: 10.1007/s11274-019-2707-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2019] [Accepted: 08/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
There is a significant increase in the discovery of new antimicrobial compounds in recent past to combat drug resistant pathogens. Members of the genus Bacillus and related genera have been screened extensively due to their ability to produce wide range of antimicrobial compounds. In this study, we have isolated and characterized a new antimicrobial peptide from a marine bacterium identified as Virgibacillus species. The low molecular mass and stability of the antimicrobial substance pointed towards the bacteriocinogenic nature of the compound. The RAST analysis of genome sequence showed presence of a putative bacteriocin biosynthetic cluster containing genes necessary for synthesis of a lanthipeptide. Translated amino acid sequence of mature C-terminal propeptide showed identity with salivaricin A (52.2%) and lacticin A (33.3%). Accordingly, the mass (2417 Da) obtained by MALDI analysis was in agreement with posttranslational modifications of the leader peptide to yield three methyl lanthionine rings and a disulfide bond between two free cysteine residues. The lanthipeptide was named as virgicin, which selectively inhibited the growth of Gram-positive bacteria and biofilm formation by Enterococcus faecalis. Inhibition of biofilm formation by E. faecalis was also observed in in vitro model experiments using hydroxyapatite discs. Thus, virgicin appears to be a promising new bacteriocin to control oral biofilm formation by selective pathogens.
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16
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Staphylococcus aureus Colonization of the Human Nose and Interaction with Other Microbiome Members. Microbiol Spectr 2019; 7. [PMID: 31004422 DOI: 10.1128/microbiolspec.gpp3-0029-2018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Staphylococcus aureus is usually regarded as a bacterial pathogen due to its ability to cause multiple types of invasive infections. Nevertheless, S. aureus colonizes about 30% of the human population asymptomatically in the nares, either transiently or persistently, and can therefore be regarded a human commensal as well, although carriage increases the risk of infection. Whereas many facets of the infection processes have been studied intensively, little is known about the commensal lifestyle of S. aureus. Recent studies highlight the major role of the composition of the highly variable nasal microbiota in promoting or inhibiting S. aureus colonization. Competition for limited nutrients, trace elements, and epithelial attachment sites, different susceptibilities to host defense molecules and the production of antimicrobial molecules by bacterial competitors may determine whether nasal bacteria outcompete each other. This chapter summarizes our knowledge about mechanisms that are used by S. aureus for efficient nasal colonization and strategies used by other nasal bacteria to interfere with its colonization. An improved understanding of naturally evolved mechanisms might enable us to develop new strategies for pathogen eradication.
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Hong J, Kim J, Quan LH, Heu S, Roh E. Purification and Characterization of Pasteuricin Produced by Staphylococcus pasteuri RSP-1 and Active against Multidrug-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus. J Food Prot 2018; 81:1768-1775. [PMID: 30280936 DOI: 10.4315/0362-028x.jfp-18-111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Staphylococcus aureus is an important pathogen implicated in various diseases, including staphylococcal food poisoning. Bacteriocins are considered safe and effective antimicrobial substances for the prevention of the growth of pathogenic bacteria. In this article, we describe the purification and characterization of pasteuricin, a novel bacteriocin produced by Staphylococcus pasteuri RSP-1. A cell-free supernatant of S. pasteuri RSP-1 exerted strong antimicrobial activity against staphylococci, including methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), and gram-positive bacteria. The loss of antimicrobial activity upon treatment with proteolytic enzymes confirmed the proteinaceous nature of pasteuricin. A rapid and pronounced bactericidal effect of pasteuricin was confirmed by a live-dead bacterial viability assay. To our knowledge, pasteuricin is the first reported S. pasteuri bacteriocin that inhibits S. aureus. Because pasteuricin is characterized by strong antimicrobial activity and high stability, it has potential as an alternative antimicrobial agent to antibiotics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jisoo Hong
- 1 Microbial Safety Team, National Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Rural Development Administration, Wanju 55365, Republic of Korea (ORCID: http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2999-5817 [E.R.])
| | - Jonguk Kim
- 1 Microbial Safety Team, National Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Rural Development Administration, Wanju 55365, Republic of Korea (ORCID: http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2999-5817 [E.R.])
| | - Lin-Hu Quan
- 1 Microbial Safety Team, National Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Rural Development Administration, Wanju 55365, Republic of Korea (ORCID: http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2999-5817 [E.R.])
| | - Sunggi Heu
- 1 Microbial Safety Team, National Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Rural Development Administration, Wanju 55365, Republic of Korea (ORCID: http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2999-5817 [E.R.])
| | - Eunjung Roh
- 1 Microbial Safety Team, National Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Rural Development Administration, Wanju 55365, Republic of Korea (ORCID: http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2999-5817 [E.R.])
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18
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Diversified transporters and pathways for bacteriocin secretion in gram-positive bacteria. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2018; 102:4243-4253. [DOI: 10.1007/s00253-018-8917-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2018] [Revised: 03/05/2018] [Accepted: 03/06/2018] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
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19
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Repka LM, Chekan JR, Nair SK, van der Donk WA. Mechanistic Understanding of Lanthipeptide Biosynthetic Enzymes. Chem Rev 2017; 117:5457-5520. [PMID: 28135077 PMCID: PMC5408752 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.6b00591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 301] [Impact Index Per Article: 43.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
![]()
Lanthipeptides
are ribosomally synthesized and post-translationally
modified peptides (RiPPs) that display a wide variety of biological
activities, from antimicrobial to antiallodynic. Lanthipeptides that
display antimicrobial activity are called lantibiotics. The post-translational
modification reactions of lanthipeptides include dehydration of Ser
and Thr residues to dehydroalanine and dehydrobutyrine, a transformation
that is carried out in three unique ways in different classes of lanthipeptides.
In a cyclization process, Cys residues then attack the dehydrated
residues to generate the lanthionine and methyllanthionine thioether
cross-linked amino acids from which lanthipeptides derive their name.
The resulting polycyclic peptides have constrained conformations that
confer their biological activities. After installation of the characteristic
thioether cross-links, tailoring enzymes introduce additional post-translational
modifications that are unique to each lanthipeptide and that fine-tune
their activities and/or stability. This review focuses on studies
published over the past decade that have provided much insight into
the mechanisms of the enzymes that carry out the post-translational
modifications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lindsay M Repka
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Department of Chemistry, ‡Department of Biochemistry, and §Center for Biophysics and Computational Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign , 600 South Mathews Avenue, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Jonathan R Chekan
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Department of Chemistry, ‡Department of Biochemistry, and §Center for Biophysics and Computational Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign , 600 South Mathews Avenue, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Satish K Nair
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Department of Chemistry, ‡Department of Biochemistry, and §Center for Biophysics and Computational Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign , 600 South Mathews Avenue, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Wilfred A van der Donk
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Department of Chemistry, ‡Department of Biochemistry, and §Center for Biophysics and Computational Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign , 600 South Mathews Avenue, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
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20
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Zhang F, Kelly WL. Saturation mutagenesis of TsrA Ala4 unveils a highly mutable residue of thiostrepton A. ACS Chem Biol 2015; 10:998-1009. [PMID: 25572285 DOI: 10.1021/cb5007745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Thiopeptides are post-translationally processed macrocyclic peptide metabolites, characterized by extensive backbone and side chain modifications that include a six-membered nitrogeneous ring, thiazol(in)e/oxazol(in)e rings, and dehydrated amino acid residues. Thiostrepton A, one of the more structurally complex and well-studied thiopeptides, contains a second macrocycle bearing a quinaldic acid moiety. Antibacterial, antimalarial, and anticancer properties have been described for thiostrepton A and other thiopeptides, although the molecular details for binding the cellular target in each case are not fully elaborated. We previously demonstrated that a mutation of the TsrA core peptide, Ala4Gly, supported the successful production of the corresponding thiostrepton variant. To more thoroughly probe the thiostrepton biosynthetic machinery's tolerance toward structural variation at the fourth position of the TsrA core peptide, we report here the saturation mutagenesis of this residue using a fosmid-dependent biosynthetic engineering method and the isolation of 16 thiostrepton analogues. Several types of side chain substitutions at the fourth position of TsrA, including those that introduce polar or branched hydrophobic residues are accepted, albeit with varied preferences. In contrast, proline and amino acid residues inherently charged at physiological pH are not well-tolerated at the queried site by the thiostrepton biosynthetic system. These newly generated thiostrepton analogues were assessed for their antibacterial activities and abilities to inhibit the proteolytic functions of the eukaryotic 20S proteasome. We demonstrate that the identity of the fourth amino acid residue in the thiostrepton scaffold is not critical for either ribosome or proteasome inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feifei Zhang
- School of Chemistry and Biochemistry
and the Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience, Georgia Institute of Technology, 901 Atlantic Drive, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, United States
| | - Wendy L. Kelly
- School of Chemistry and Biochemistry
and the Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience, Georgia Institute of Technology, 901 Atlantic Drive, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, United States
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21
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Biosynthesis and transport of the lantibiotic mutacin 1140 produced by Streptococcus mutans. J Bacteriol 2015; 197:1173-84. [PMID: 25605307 DOI: 10.1128/jb.02531-14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED Lantibiotics are ribosomally synthesized peptide antibiotics composed of an N-terminal leader peptide that is cleaved to yield the active antibacterial peptide. Significant advancements in molecular tools that promote the study of lantibiotic biosynthesis can be used in Streptococcus mutans. Herein, we further our understanding of leader peptide sequence and core peptide structural requirements for the biosynthesis and transport of the lantibiotic mutacin 1140. Our study on mutacin 1140 biosynthesis shows a dedicated secondary cleavage site within the leader peptide and the dependency of transport on core peptide posttranslational modifications (PTMs). The secondary cleavage site on the leader peptide is found at the -9 position, and secondary cleavage occurs before the core peptide is transported out of the cell. The coordinated cleavage at the -9 position was absent in a lanT deletion strain, suggesting that the core peptide interaction with the LanT transporter enables uniform cleavage at the -9 position. Following transport, the LanP protease was found to be tolerant to a wide variety of amino acid substitutions at the primary leader peptide cleavage site, with the exception of arginine at the -1 position. Several leader and core peptide mutations produced core peptide variants that had intermediate stages of PTM enzyme modifications, supporting the concept that PTM enzyme modifications, secondary cleavage, and transport are occurring in a highly coordinated fashion. IMPORTANCE Mutacin 1140 belongs to the class I lantibiotic family of ribosomally synthesized and posttranslationally modified peptides (RiPPs). The biosynthesis of mutacin 1140 is a highly efficient process which does not lead to a discernible level of production of partially modified core peptide variants. The products isolated from an extensive mutagenesis study on the leader and core peptides of mutacin 1140 show that the posttranslational modifications (PTMs) on the core peptide occur under a highly coordinated dynamic process. PTMs are dictated by the distance of the core peptide modifiable residues from PTM enzyme active sites. The formation of lanthionine rings aids in the formation of successive PTMs, as was observed in a peptide variant lacking a C-terminal decarboxylation.
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22
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Christensen GJM, Brüggemann H. Bacterial skin commensals and their role as host guardians. Benef Microbes 2014; 5:201-15. [PMID: 24322878 DOI: 10.3920/bm2012.0062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 186] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Recent years' investigations of the co-evolution and functional integration of the human body and its commensal microbiota have disclosed that the microbiome has a major impact on physiological functions including protection against infections, reaction patterns in the immune system, and disposition for inflammation-mediated diseases. Two ubiquitous members of the skin microbiota, the Gram-positive bacteria Staphylococcus epidermidis and Propionibacterium acnes, are predominant on human epithelia and in sebaceous follicles, respectively. Their successful colonisation is a result of a commensal or even mutualistic lifestyle, favouring traits conferring persistency over aggressive host-damaging properties. Some bacterial properties suggest an alliance with the host to keep transient, potential pathogens at bay, such as the ability of S. epidermidis to produce antimicrobials, or the production of short-chain fatty acids by P. acnes. These features can function together with host-derived components of the innate host defence to establish and maintain the composition of a health-associated skin microbiota. However, depending largely on the host status, the relationship between the human host and S. epidermidis/P. acnes can also have parasitic features. Both microorganisms are frequently isolated from opportunistic infections. S. epidermidis is a causative agent of hospital-acquired infections, mostly associated with the use of medical devices. P. acnes is suspected to be of major importance in the pathogenesis of acne and also in a number of other opportunistic infections. In this review we will present bacterial factors and traits of these two key members of our skin microbiota and discuss how they contribute to mutualistic and parasitic properties. The elucidation of their roles in health-promoting or disease-causing processes could lead to new prophylactic and therapeutic strategies against skin disorders and other S. epidermidis/P. acnes-associated diseases, and increase our understanding of the delicate interplay of the skin microbiota with the human host.
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Affiliation(s)
- G J M Christensen
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Wilhelm Meyers Allé 4, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - H Brüggemann
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Wilhelm Meyers Allé 4, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
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Escano J, Stauffer B, Brennan J, Bullock M, Smith L. The leader peptide of mutacin 1140 has distinct structural components compared to related class I lantibiotics. Microbiologyopen 2014; 3:961-72. [PMID: 25400246 PMCID: PMC4263518 DOI: 10.1002/mbo3.222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2014] [Revised: 10/12/2014] [Accepted: 10/20/2014] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Lantibiotics are ribosomally synthesized peptide antibiotics composed of an N-terminal leader peptide that promotes the core peptide's interaction with the post translational modification (PTM) enzymes. Following PTMs, mutacin 1140 is transported out of the cell and the leader peptide is cleaved to yield the antibacterial peptide. Mutacin 1140 leader peptide is structurally unique compared to other class I lantibiotic leader peptides. Herein, we further our understanding of the structural differences of mutacin 1140 leader peptide with regard to other class I leader peptides. We have determined that the length of the leader peptide is important for the biosynthesis of mutacin 1140. We have also determined that mutacin 1140 leader peptide contains a novel four amino acid motif compared to related lantibiotics. PTM enzyme recognition of the leader peptide appears to be evolutionarily distinct from related class I lantibiotics. Our study on mutacin 1140 leader peptide provides a basis for future studies aimed at understanding its interaction with the PTM enzymes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jerome Escano
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, 77843
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Bali V, Panesar PS, Bera MB, Kennedy JF. Bacteriocins: Recent Trends and Potential Applications. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr 2014; 56:817-34. [DOI: 10.1080/10408398.2012.729231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
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25
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ApnI, a transmembrane protein responsible for subtilomycin immunity, unveils a novel model for lantibiotic immunity. Appl Environ Microbiol 2014; 80:6303-15. [PMID: 25085495 DOI: 10.1128/aem.02280-14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Subtilomycin was detected from the plant endophytic strain Bacillus subtilis BSn5 and was first reported from B. subtilis strain MMA7. In this study, a gene cluster that has been proposed to be related to subtilomycin biosynthesis was isolated from the BSn5 genome and was experimentally validated by gene inactivation and heterologous expression. Comparison of the subtilomycin gene cluster with other verified related lantibiotic gene clusters revealed a particular organization of the genes apnI and apnT downstream of apnAPBC, which may be involved in subtilomycin immunity. Through analysis of expression of the apnI and/or apnT genes in the subtilomycin-sensitive strain CU1065 and inactivation of apnI and apnT in the producer strain BSn5, we showed that the single gene apnI, encoding a putative transmembrane protein, was responsible for subtilomycin immunity. To our knowledge, evidence for lantibiotic immunity that is solely dependent on a transmembrane protein is quite rare. Further bioinformatic analysis revealed the abundant presence of ApnI-like proteins that may be responsible for lantibiotic immunity in Bacillus and Paenibacillus. We cloned the paeI gene, encoding one such ApnI-like protein, into CU1065 and showed that it confers resistance to paenibacillin. However, no cross-resistance was detected between ApnI and PaeI, even though subtilomycin and paenibacillin share similar structures, suggesting that the protection provided by ApnI/ApnI-like proteins involves a specific-sequence recognition mechanism. Peptide release/binding assays indicated that the recombinant B. subtilis expressing apnI interacted with subtilomycin. Thus, ApnI represents a novel model for lantibiotic immunity that appears to be common.
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26
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Otto M. Staphylococcus colonization of the skin and antimicrobial peptides. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014; 5:183-195. [PMID: 20473345 DOI: 10.1586/edm.10.6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 161] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Staphylococci are the most abundant skin-colonizing bacteria and the most important causes of nosocomial infections and community-associated skin infections. Molecular determinants of staphylococcal skin colonization include surface polymers and proteins that promote adhesion and aggregation, and a wide variety of mechanisms to evade acquired and innate host defenses. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) likely play a central role in providing immunity to bacterial colonization on human epithelia. Recent research has shown that staphylococci have a broad arsenal to combat AMP activity, and can regulate expression of AMP-resistance mechanisms depending on the presence of AMPs. While direct in vivo evidence is still lacking, this suggests that the interplay between AMPs and AMP resistance mechanisms during evolution had a crucial role in rendering staphylococci efficient colonizers of human skin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Otto
- National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, NIH, 9000 Rockville Pike, Building 33 1W10, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA, Tel.: +1 301 443 5209
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Götz F, Perconti S, Popella P, Werner R, Schlag M. Epidermin and gallidermin: Staphylococcal lantibiotics. Int J Med Microbiol 2013; 304:63-71. [PMID: 24119540 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijmm.2013.08.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The Staphylococcus epidermidis derived epidermin was the first lantibiotic that has been shown to be ribosomally synthesized and posttranslationally modified. Together with gallidermin, produced by Staphylococcus gallinarum, they belong to the large class of cationic antimicrobial peptides (CAMPs) that act against a broad spectrum of Gram-positive bacteria. Here we describe the genetic organization, biosynthesis and modification, excretion, extracellular activation of the modified pre-peptide by proteolytic processing, self-protection of the producer, gene regulation, structure, and the mode of action of gallidermin and epidermin. We also address mechanisms of bacterial tolerance to these lantibiotics and other CAMPs. Particularly gallidermin has a high potential for therapeutic application, as it is active against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains (MRSA) and as it is able to prevent biofilm formation at sublethal concentrations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Friedrich Götz
- Microbial Genetics, Interfaculty Institute for Microbiology and Infection Medicine Tübingen (IMIT), University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany.
| | - Silvana Perconti
- Microbial Genetics, Interfaculty Institute for Microbiology and Infection Medicine Tübingen (IMIT), University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Peter Popella
- Microbial Genetics, Interfaculty Institute for Microbiology and Infection Medicine Tübingen (IMIT), University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Rolf Werner
- Microbial Genetics, Interfaculty Institute for Microbiology and Infection Medicine Tübingen (IMIT), University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Martin Schlag
- Microbial Genetics, Interfaculty Institute for Microbiology and Infection Medicine Tübingen (IMIT), University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
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Wladyka B, Wielebska K, Wloka M, Bochenska O, Dubin G, Dubin A, Mak P. Isolation, biochemical characterization, and cloning of a bacteriocin from the poultry-associated Staphylococcus aureus strain CH-91. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2012. [PMID: 23196985 PMCID: PMC3724985 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-012-4578-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Staphylococcus aureus strain CH-91, isolated from a broiler chicken with atopic dermatitis, has a highly proteolytic phenotype that is correlated with the disease. We describe the isolation and biochemical and molecular characterization of the AI-type lantibiotic BacCH91 from S. aureus CH-91 culture medium. The bacteriocin was purified using a three-stage procedure comprising precipitation with ammonium sulfate, extraction with organic solvents, and reversed-phase HPLC. The BacCH91 peptide is thermostable and highly resistant to cleavage by both prokaryotic and eukaryotic peptidases. The MIC for the Gram-positive bacteria ranged from 2.5 nM for Microococcus luteus through 1.3-6.0 μM for staphylococcal strains up to more than 100 μM for Lactococcus lactis. BacCH91 was ineffective against the Gram-negative strains tested at the maximal concentration (100 μM). The amino acid sequence of BacCH91 is similar to that of epidermin and gallidermin. The encoding gene (bacCH91) occurred in two allelic variants distinguishable in the restriction fragment length polymorphism assay. Variant I, identified in S. aureus CH-91, dominated in S. aureus strains of poultry origin, although strains with variant II were also identified in this group. S. aureus strains of human origin were characterized exclusively by variant II.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benedykt Wladyka
- Department of Analytical Biochemistry, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30-387 Krakow, Poland
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Nagpal A, Baddour LM, Sohail MR. Microbiology and Pathogenesis of Cardiovascular Implantable Electronic Device Infections. Circ Arrhythm Electrophysiol 2012; 5:433-41. [DOI: 10.1161/circep.111.962753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Avish Nagpal
- From the Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN
| | - Larry M. Baddour
- From the Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN
| | - Muhammad R. Sohail
- From the Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN
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Identification, characterization, and recombinant expression of epidermicin NI01, a novel unmodified bacteriocin produced by Staphylococcus epidermidis that displays potent activity against Staphylococci. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2011; 56:1539-47. [PMID: 22155816 DOI: 10.1128/aac.05397-11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
We describe the discovery, purification, characterization, and expression of an antimicrobial peptide, epidermicin NI01, which is an unmodified bacteriocin produced by Staphylococcus epidermidis strain 224. It is a highly cationic, hydrophobic, plasmid-encoded peptide that exhibits potent antimicrobial activity toward a wide range of pathogenic Gram-positive bacteria including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), enterococci, and biofilm-forming S. epidermidis strains. Purification of the peptide was achieved using a combination of hydrophobic interaction, cation exchange, and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight (MALDI-TOF) analysis yielded a molecular mass of 6,074 Da, and partial sequence data of the peptide were elucidated using a combination of tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) and de novo sequencing. The draft genome sequence of the producing strain was obtained using 454 pyrosequencing technology, thus enabling the identification of the structural gene using the de novo peptide sequence data previously obtained. Epidermicin NI01 contains 51 residues with four tryptophan and nine lysine residues, and the sequence showed approximately 50% identity to peptides lacticin Z, lacticin Q, and aureocin A53, all of which belong to a new family of unmodified type II-like bacteriocins. The peptide is active in the nanomolar range against S. epidermidis, MRSA isolates, and vancomycin-resistant enterococci. Other unique features displayed by epidermicin include a high degree of protease stability and the ability to retain antimicrobial activity over a pH range of 2 to 10, and exposure to the peptide does not result in development of resistance in susceptible isolates. In this study we also show the structural gene alone can be cloned into Escherichia coli strain BL21(DE3), and expression yields active peptide.
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Velásquez JE, Zhang X, van der Donk WA. Biosynthesis of the antimicrobial peptide epilancin 15X and its N-terminal lactate. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2011; 18:857-67. [PMID: 21802007 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2011.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2010] [Revised: 04/15/2011] [Accepted: 05/03/2011] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Lantibiotics are ribosomally synthesized and posttranslationally modified antimicrobial peptides. The recently discovered lantibiotic epilancin 15X produced by Staphylococcus epidermidis 15X154 contains an unusual N-terminal lactate group. To understand its biosynthesis, the epilancin 15X biosynthetic gene cluster was identified. The N-terminal lactate is produced by dehydration of a serine residue in the first position of the core peptide by ElxB, followed by proteolytic removal of the leader peptide by ElxP and hydrolysis of the resulting new N-terminal dehydroalanine. The pyruvate group thus formed is reduced to lactate by an NADPH-dependent oxidoreductase designated ElxO. The enzymatic activity of ElxB, ElxP, and ElxO were investigated in vitro or in vivo and the importance of the N-terminal modification for peptide stability against bacterial aminopeptidases was assessed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan E Velásquez
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 600 South Mathews Avenue, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
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Al-Mahrous MM, Upton M. Discovery and development of lantibiotics; antimicrobial agents that have significant potential for medical application. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2011; 6:155-70. [PMID: 22647134 DOI: 10.1517/17460441.2011.545387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Antimicrobial drug resistance is driving the need for novel therapeutics. Amongst the most promising antibacterial agents that are being investigated as replacements for current therapeutic antibiotics are antibacterial peptides, such as the lanthionine-containing peptide antibiotics (lantibiotics). AREAS COVERED This review focuses on the current methods used for discovery of potentially exploitable lantibiotics for medical applications and discusses relevant recent innovations that will have a positive impact on the discovery of useful lantibiotics. EXPERT OPINION Recent technological advances in a number of fields mean that increased research into the identification and characterisation of new lantibiotics is feasible. We need to increase our understanding of the various mechanisms of antibacterial action exhibited by lantibiotics and apply this knowledge to peptide engineering or novel practical applications. The advent of next-generation sequencing approaches now negate the need for extensive reverse genetics and employment of bioinformatics approaches is greatly assisting the identification of potentially useful inhibitors in the genomes of a range of clinically significant bacteria. These advances in genetic analysis and engineering will facilitate increased exploitation of lantibiotics in medical therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammed M Al-Mahrous
- University of Manchester, School of Translational Medicine, Department of Medical Microbiology, Clinical Sciences Building, Manchester Royal Infirmary, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9WL, UK +44 1 161 276 8828 ; +44 0 161 276 8826 ;
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Marsh AJ, O'Sullivan O, Ross RP, Cotter PD, Hill C. In silico analysis highlights the frequency and diversity of type 1 lantibiotic gene clusters in genome sequenced bacteria. BMC Genomics 2010; 11:679. [PMID: 21118552 PMCID: PMC3091789 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2164-11-679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2010] [Accepted: 11/30/2010] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Lantibiotics are lanthionine-containing, post-translationally modified antimicrobial peptides. These peptides have significant, but largely untapped, potential as preservatives and chemotherapeutic agents. Type 1 lantibiotics are those in which lanthionine residues are introduced into the structural peptide (LanA) through the activity of separate lanthionine dehydratase (LanB) and lanthionine synthetase (LanC) enzymes. Here we take advantage of the conserved nature of LanC enzymes to devise an in silico approach to identify potential lantibiotic-encoding gene clusters in genome sequenced bacteria. RESULTS In total 49 novel type 1 lantibiotic clusters were identified which unexpectedly were associated with species, genera and even phyla of bacteria which have not previously been associated with lantibiotic production. CONCLUSIONS Multiple type 1 lantibiotic gene clusters were identified at a frequency that suggests that these antimicrobials are much more widespread than previously thought. These clusters represent a rich repository which can yield a large number of valuable novel antimicrobials and biosynthetic enzymes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alan J Marsh
- Teagasc, Moorepark Food Research Centre, Fermoy, Cork, Ireland
- Microbiology Department, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Orla O'Sullivan
- Teagasc, Moorepark Food Research Centre, Fermoy, Cork, Ireland
| | - R Paul Ross
- Teagasc, Moorepark Food Research Centre, Fermoy, Cork, Ireland
- Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre, Cork, Ireland
| | - Paul D Cotter
- Teagasc, Moorepark Food Research Centre, Fermoy, Cork, Ireland
- Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre, Cork, Ireland
| | - Colin Hill
- Microbiology Department, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
- Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre, Cork, Ireland
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Requirements of the engineered leader peptide of nisin for inducing modification, export, and cleavage. Appl Environ Microbiol 2010; 77:604-11. [PMID: 21097596 DOI: 10.1128/aem.01503-10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Nisin A is a pentacyclic peptide antibiotic produced by Lactococcus lactis. The leader peptide of prenisin keeps nisin inactive and has a role in inducing NisB- and NisC-catalyzed modifications of the propeptide and NisT-mediated export. The highly specific NisP cleaves off the leader peptide from fully modified and exported prenisin. We present here a detailed mutagenesis analysis of the nisin leader peptide. For alternative cleavage, we successfully introduced a putative NisP autocleavage site and sites for thrombin, enterokinase, Glu-C, and factor Xa in the C-terminal part of the leader peptide. Replacing residue F-18 with Trp or Thr strongly reduced production. On the other hand, D-19A, F-18H, F-18M, L-16D, L-16K, and L-16A enhanced production. Substitutions within and outside the FNLD box enhanced or reduced the transport efficiency. None of the above substitutions nor even an internal 6His tag from positions -13 to -8 had any effect on the capacity of the leader peptide to induce NisB and NisC modifications. Therefore, these data demonstrate a large mutational freedom. However, simultaneous replacement of the FNLD amino acids by four alanines strongly reduced export and even led to a complete loss of the capacity to induce modifications. Reducing the leader peptide to MSTKDFNLDLR led to 3- or 4-fold dehydration. Taken together, the FNLD box is crucial for inducing posttranslational modifications.
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Korobov VP, Lemkina LM, Polyudova TV, Akimenko VK. Isolation and characterization of a new low-molecular antibacterial peptide of the lantibiotics family. Microbiology (Reading) 2010. [DOI: 10.1134/s0026261710020128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
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Petersen J, Boysen A, Fogh L, Tabermann K, Kofoed T, King A, Schrotz-King P, Hansen MC. Identification and characterization of a bioactive lantibiotic produced by Staphylococcus warneri. Biol Chem 2009; 390:437-44. [DOI: 10.1515/bc.2009.062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Lantibiotics are a group of potent antibacterial agents that contain unusual amino acids, such as the thioether amino acids lanthionine and methyllanthionine, and the didehydroamino acids didehydroalanine and didehydro-aminobutyric acid. Here, we report on an antibacterial lantibiotic peptide named SWLP1 (Staphylococcus warneri lantibiotic peptide 1), which is secreted from Staphylococcus warneri (deposited with DSMZ, accession number DSM 16081). SWLP1 was purified from growth media. The purified peptide displays antibacterial activity against several species, including Staphylococcus epidermidis. The molecular mass of SWLP1 is 2998.9 Da as determined by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry. The sequence and possible structure was elucidated by combining electrospray ionization mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry data of ethanethiol-treated and non-ethanethiol-treated tryptic fragments of the SWLP1. SWLP1 contains three thioether bridges, one didehydroalanine, and three didehydroaminobutyric acids. This peptide has the potential to be used in treatment of several Gram-positive bacterial infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jørgen Petersen
- ACE BioSciences A/S, Unsbjergvej 2a, DK-5220 Odense, Denmark
| | - Anders Boysen
- ACE BioSciences A/S, Unsbjergvej 2a, DK-5220 Odense, Denmark
| | - Lotte Fogh
- ACE BioSciences A/S, Unsbjergvej 2a, DK-5220 Odense, Denmark
| | | | - Thomas Kofoed
- ACE BioSciences A/S, Unsbjergvej 2a, DK-5220 Odense, Denmark
| | - Angus King
- ACE BioSciences A/S, Unsbjergvej 2a, DK-5220 Odense, Denmark
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McIntosh JA, Donia MS, Schmidt EW. Ribosomal peptide natural products: bridging the ribosomal and nonribosomal worlds. Nat Prod Rep 2009; 26:537-59. [PMID: 19642421 PMCID: PMC2975598 DOI: 10.1039/b714132g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 192] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/03/2023]
Abstract
Ribosomally synthesized bacterial natural products rival the nonribosomal peptides in their structural and functional diversity. The last decade has seen substantial progress in the identification and characterization of biosynthetic pathways leading to ribosomal peptide natural products with new and unusual structural motifs. In some of these cases, the motifs are similar to those found in nonribosomal peptides, and many are constructed by convergent or even paralogous enzymes. Here, we summarize the major structural and biosynthetic categories of ribosomally synthesized bacterial natural products and, where applicable, compare them to their homologs from nonribosomal biosynthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- John A. McIntosh
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Utah, 30 South 2000 East Rm 201, Salt Lake City, UT 84112 USA
| | - Mohamed S. Donia
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Utah, 30 South 2000 East Rm 201, Salt Lake City, UT 84112 USA
| | - Eric W. Schmidt
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Utah, 30 South 2000 East Rm 201, Salt Lake City, UT 84112 USA
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N-terminal acetylation in paenibacillin, a novel lantibiotic. FEBS Lett 2008; 582:2787-92. [DOI: 10.1016/j.febslet.2008.07.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2008] [Revised: 06/26/2008] [Accepted: 07/05/2008] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Rink R, Wierenga J, Kuipers A, Kluskens LD, Driessen AJM, Kuipers OP, Moll GN. Dissection and modulation of the four distinct activities of nisin by mutagenesis of rings A and B and by C-terminal truncation. Appl Environ Microbiol 2007; 73:5809-16. [PMID: 17660303 PMCID: PMC2074915 DOI: 10.1128/aem.01104-07] [Citation(s) in RCA: 115] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Nisin A is a pentacyclic antibiotic peptide produced by various Lactococcus lactis strains. Nisin displays four different activities: (i) it autoinduces its own synthesis; (ii) it inhibits the growth of target bacteria by membrane pore formation; (iii) it inhibits bacterial growth by interfering with cell wall synthesis; and, in addition, (iv) it inhibits the outgrowth of spores. Here we investigate the structural requirements and relevance of the N-terminal thioether rings of nisin by randomization of the ring A and B positions. The data demonstrate that: (i) mutation of ring A results in variants with enhanced activity and a modulated spectrum of target cells; (ii) for the cell growth-inhibiting activity of nisin, ring A is rather promiscuous with respect to its amino acid composition, whereas the bulky amino acid residues in ring B abolish antimicrobial activity; (iii) C-terminally truncated nisin A mutants lacking rings D and E retain significant antimicrobial activity but are unable to permeabilize the target membrane; (iv) the dehydroalanine in ring A is not essential for the inhibition of the outgrowth of Bacillus cells; (v) some ring A mutants have significant antimicrobial activities but have decreased autoinducing activities; (vi) the opening of ring B eliminates antimicrobial activity while retaining autoinducing activity; and (vii) some ring A mutants escape the nisin immune system(s) and are toxic to the nisin-producing strain NZ9700. These data demonstrate that the various activities of nisin can be engineered independently and provide a basis for the design and synthesis of tailor-made analogs with desired activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rick Rink
- BiOMaDe Technology Foundation, Nijenborgh 4, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands
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He Z, Kisla D, Zhang L, Yuan C, Green-Church KB, Yousef AE. Isolation and identification of a Paenibacillus polymyxa strain that coproduces a novel lantibiotic and polymyxin. Appl Environ Microbiol 2006; 73:168-78. [PMID: 17071789 PMCID: PMC1797129 DOI: 10.1128/aem.02023-06] [Citation(s) in RCA: 167] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
A new bacterial strain, displaying potent antimicrobial properties against gram-negative and gram-positive pathogenic bacteria, was isolated from food. Based on its phenotypical and biochemical properties as well as its 16S rRNA gene sequence, the bacterium was identified as Paenibacillus polymyxa and it was designated as strain OSY-DF. The antimicrobials produced by this strain were isolated from the fermentation broth and subsequently analyzed by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Two antimicrobials were found: a known antibiotic, polymyxin E1, which is active against gram-negative bacteria, and an unknown 2,983-Da compound showing activity against gram-positive bacteria. The latter was purified to homogeneity, and its antimicrobial potency and proteinaceous nature were confirmed. The antimicrobial peptide, designated paenibacillin, is active against a broad range of food-borne pathogenic and spoilage bacteria, including Bacillus spp., Clostridium sporogenes, Lactobacillus spp., Lactococcus lactis, Leuconostoc mesenteroides, Listeria spp., Pediococcus cerevisiae, Staphylococcus aureus, and Streptococcus agalactiae. Furthermore, it possesses the physico-chemical properties of an ideal antimicrobial agent in terms of water solubility, thermal resistance, and stability against acid/alkali (pH 2.0 to 9.0) treatment. Edman degradation, mass spectroscopy, and nuclear magnetic resonance were used to sequence native and chemically modified paenibacillin. While details of the tentative sequence need to be elucidated in future work, the peptide was unequivocally characterized as a novel lantibiotic, with a high degree of posttranslational modifications. The coproduction of polymyxin E1 and a lantibiotic is a finding that has not been reported earlier. The new strain and associated peptide are potentially useful in food and medical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zengguo He
- Parker Food Science Building, The Ohio State University, 2015 Fyffe Road, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
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Ekkelenkamp MB, Hanssen M, Danny Hsu ST, de Jong A, Milatovic D, Verhoef J, van Nuland NAJ. Isolation and structural characterization of epilancin 15X, a novel lantibiotic from a clinical strain of Staphylococcus epidermidis. FEBS Lett 2005; 579:1917-22. [PMID: 15792796 DOI: 10.1016/j.febslet.2005.01.083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2004] [Revised: 01/14/2005] [Accepted: 01/22/2005] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The potential application of lantibiotics as food-preserving agents and more recently as antibiotics has strongly increased the interest in these antibacterial peptides. Here, we report the elucidation of the primary and three-dimensional structures of the novel lantibiotic epilancin 15X from Staphylococcus epidermidis using high-resolution nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and tandem mass spectrometry. The molecule contains ten post-translationally modified amino acids, three lanthionine ring structures and a hydroxy-propionyl N-terminal moiety. The primary and tertiary structure and the distribution of positive charges are closely similar to the previously identified lantibiotic epilancin K7, most likely indicative of a common mode of action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miquel B Ekkelenkamp
- University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Heidelberglaan 100, 3584 CX Utrecht, The Netherlands.
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Chatterjee C, Paul M, Xie L, van der Donk WA. Biosynthesis and mode of action of lantibiotics. Chem Rev 2005; 105:633-84. [PMID: 15700960 DOI: 10.1021/cr030105v] [Citation(s) in RCA: 556] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Champak Chatterjee
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 600 South Mathews Avenue, Urbana, Illinois, USA
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Corvey C, Stein T, Düsterhus S, Karas M, Entian KD. Activation of subtilin precursors by Bacillus subtilis extracellular serine proteases subtilisin (AprE), WprA, and Vpr. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2003; 304:48-54. [PMID: 12705882 DOI: 10.1016/s0006-291x(03)00529-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
The maturation of the peptide antibiotic (lantibiotic) subtilin in Bacillus subtilis ATCC 6633 includes posttranslational modifications of the propeptide and proteolytic cleavage of the leader peptide. To identify subtilin processing activities, we used antimicrobial inactive subtilin precursors consisting of the leader peptide which was still attached to the fully matured propeptide. Two extracellular B. subtilis proteases were able to activate subtilin precursors, the commercially available serine protease prototype subtilisin (AprE) and WprA. The latter was isolated from B. subtilis WB600, a strain deficient in six extracellular proteases. Surprisingly, the aprE wprA double mutant of the ATCC 6633 strain was still able to produce active subtilin, however, with a reduced production rate. No subtilin processing was found within the culture supernatant of the WB800 strain, which is deficient in eight extracellular proteases. Vpr was identified as the third protease capable to process subtilin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carsten Corvey
- Institut für Pharmazeutische Chemie, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität, Marie-Curie-Str. 9-11, 60439, Frankfurt/M, Germany
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von Eiff C, Peters G, Heilmann C. Pathogenesis of infections due to coagulase-negative staphylococci. THE LANCET. INFECTIOUS DISEASES 2002; 2:677-85. [PMID: 12409048 DOI: 10.1016/s1473-3099(02)00438-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 531] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
As a group, the coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) are among the most frequently isolated bacteria in the clinical microbiology laboratory and are becoming increasingly important, especially as causes of hospital-acquired infections. These bacteria are normal inhabitants of human skin and mucous membranes and, therefore, one of the major challenges of daily diagnostic work is to distinguish clinically significant CoNS from contaminant strains. This overview addresses current knowledge of the pathogenesis of infections due to CoNS and particularly focuses on virulence factors of the species Staphylococcus epidermidis. S epidermidis has been identified as a major cause of nosocomial infections, especially in patients with predisposing factors such as indwelling or implanted foreign polymer bodies. Most important in the pathogenesis of foreign-body-associated infections is the ability of these bacteria to colonise the polymer surface by the formation of a thick, multilayered biofilm. Biofilm formation takes place in two phases. The first phase involves the attachment of the bacteria to polymer surfaces that may be either unmodified or coated with host extracellular matrix proteins. In the second phase, the bacteria proliferate and accumulate into multilayered cell clusters that are embedded in an extracellular material. The bacterial factors involved in both phases of biofilm formation are discussed in this review. In addition, the most important aspects of the pathogenic potential of S saprophyticus, S lugdunensis, and S schleiferi are described, although, compared with S epidermidis, much less is known in these species concerning their virulence factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christof von Eiff
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, University of Münster Hospital and Clinics, Münster, Germany.
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Abstract
The lantibiotics are a group of ribosomally synthesised, post-translationally modified peptides containing unusual amino acids, such as dehydrated and lanthionine residues. This group of bacteriocins has attracted much attention in recent years due to the success of the well characterised lantibiotic, nisin, as a food preservative. Numerous other lantibiotics have since been identified and can be divided into two groups on the basis of their structures, designated type-A and type-B. To date, many of these lantibiotics have undergone extensive characterisation resulting in an advanced understanding of them at both the structural and mechanistic level. This review outlines some of the more recent developments in the biochemistry, genetics and mechanism of action of these peptides.
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Affiliation(s)
- O McAuliffe
- Department of Microbiology, University College Cork, Ireland
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49
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Holo H, Jeknic Z, Daeschel M, Stevanovic S, Nes IF. Plantaricin W from Lactobacillus plantarum belongs to a new family of two-peptide lantibiotics. MICROBIOLOGY (READING, ENGLAND) 2001; 147:643-651. [PMID: 11238971 DOI: 10.1099/00221287-147-3-643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 133] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Plantaricin W (Plw) is a new two-peptide bacteriocin, from Lactobacillus plantarum, which inhibits a large number of Gram-positive bacteria. The two peptides, Plwalpha (comprising 29 residues) and Plwbeta (comprising 32 residues), were isolated from the culture supernatants and characterized. The individual peptides had low antimicrobial activity but acted synergistically, and synergism was seen at all mixing ratios tested. The data indicate that the two peptides work in a 1:1 ratio. Chemical analyses showed that both peptides are lantibiotics, but two unmodified cysteines and one serine residue were present in Plwalpha, and Plwbeta contained one cysteine residue. The Plw structural genes were sequenced and shown to encode prepeptides with sequence similarities to two other two-peptide lantibiotics, namely staphylococcin C55 and lacticin 3147. The conserved residues are mainly serines, threonines and cysteines that can be involved in intramolecular thioether bond formation in the C-terminal parts of the molecules. This indicates that these bacteriocins are members of a new family of lantibiotics with common bridging patterns, and that the ring structures play an important functional role. Based on the data a structural model is presented in which each peptide has a central lanthionine and two overlapping thioether bridges close to their C-termini.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helge Holo
- Norwegian Dairies Association, Centre for Research and Development, Oslo, Norway2
- Laboratory of Microbial Gene Technology, Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Norway, PO Box 5051, N-1432 Ås, Norway1
| | - Zoran Jeknic
- Department of Food Science and Technology, 240 Wiegand Hall, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA3
| | - Mark Daeschel
- Department of Food Science and Technology, 240 Wiegand Hall, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA3
| | - Stefan Stevanovic
- Department of Immunology, Institute for Cell Biology, University of Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 15, D-72076 Tübingen, Germany4
| | - Ingolf F Nes
- Laboratory of Microbial Gene Technology, Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Norway, PO Box 5051, N-1432 Ås, Norway1
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50
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Martínez-Cuesta MC, Buist G, Kok J, Hauge HH, Nissen-Meyer J, Peláez C, Requena T. Biological and molecular characterization of a two-peptide lantibiotic produced by Lactococcus lactis IFPL105. J Appl Microbiol 2000; 89:249-60. [PMID: 10971756 DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2672.2000.01103.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The lactic acid bacterium Lactococcus lactis IFPL105 secretes a broad spectrum bacteriocin produced from the 46 kb plasmid pBAC105. The bacteriocin was purified to homogeneity by ionic and hydrophobic exchange and reverse-phase chromatography. Bacteriocin activity required the complementary action of two distinct peptides (alpha and beta) with average molecular masses of 3322 and 2848 Da, respectively. The genes encoding the two peptides were cloned and sequenced and were found to be identical to the ltnAB genes from plasmid pMRC01 of L. lactis DPC3147. LtnA and LtnB contain putative leader peptide sequences similar to the known 'double glycine' type. The predicted amino acid sequence of mature LtnA and LtnB differed from the amino acid content determined for the purified alpha and beta peptides in the residues serine, threonine, cysteine and alanine. Post-translational modification, and the formation of lanthionine or methyllanthionine rings, could partly explain the difference. Hybridization experiments showed that the organization of the gene cluster in pBAC105 responsible for the production of the bacteriocin is similar to that in pMRC01, which involves genes encoding modifying enzymes for lantibiotic biosynthesis and dual-function transporters. In both cases, the gene clusters are flanked by IS946 elements, suggesting an en bloc transposition. The findings from the isolation and molecular characterization of the bacteriocin provide evidence for the lantibiotic nature of the two peptides.
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Affiliation(s)
- M C Martínez-Cuesta
- Department of Dairy Science and Technology, Instituto del Frío, Ciudad Universitaria, Madrid, Spain
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