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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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Antoshina DV, Balandin SV, Ovchinnikova TV. Structural Features, Mechanisms of Action, and Prospects for Practical Application of Class II Bacteriocins. BIOCHEMISTRY. BIOKHIMIIA 2022; 87:1387-1403. [PMID: 36509729 DOI: 10.1134/s0006297922110165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Bacteriocins are antimicrobial peptides ribosomally synthesized by both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, as well as by archaea. Bacteriocins are usually active against phylogenetically related bacteria, providing competitive advantage to their producers in the natural bacterial environment. However, some bacteriocins are known to have a broader spectrum of antibacterial activity, including activity against multidrug-resistant bacterial strains. Multitude of bacteriocins studied to date are characterized by a wide variety of chemical structures and mechanisms of action. Existing classification systems for bacteriocins take into account structural features and biosynthetic pathways of bacteriocins, as well as the phylogenetic affiliation of their producing organisms. Heat-stable bacteriocins with molecular weight of less than 10 kDa from Gram-positive and Gram-negative producers are divided into post-translationally modified (class I) and unmodified peptides (class II). In recent years there has been an increasing interest in the class II bacteriocins as potential therapeutic agents that can help to combat antibiotic-resistant infections. Advantages of unmodified peptides are relative simplicity of their biotechnological production in heterologous systems and chemical synthesis. Potential for the combined use of bacteriocins with other antimicrobial agents allowing to enhance their efficacy, low probability of cross-resistance development, and ability of probiotic strains to produce bacteriocins in situ make them promising candidate compounds for creation of new drugs. The review focuses on structural diversity of the class II bacteriocins and their practical relevance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daria V Antoshina
- M. M. Shemyakin and Yu. A. Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, 117997, Russia
| | - Sergey V Balandin
- M. M. Shemyakin and Yu. A. Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, 117997, Russia
| | - Tatiana V Ovchinnikova
- M. M. Shemyakin and Yu. A. Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, 117997, Russia.
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3
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Twomey E, Hill C, Field D, Begley M. Recipe for Success: Suggestions and Recommendations for the Isolation and Characterisation of Bacteriocins. Int J Microbiol 2021; 2021:9990635. [PMID: 34257667 PMCID: PMC8249226 DOI: 10.1155/2021/9990635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2021] [Revised: 05/17/2021] [Accepted: 06/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacteriocins are bacterially produced antimicrobial peptides. Although only two peptides have been approved for use as natural preservatives foods, current research is focusing on expanding their application as potential therapeutics against clinical pathogens. Our laboratory group has been working on bacteriocins for over 25 years, and during that time, we have isolated bacteriocin-producing microorganisms from a variety of sources including human skin, human faeces, and various foods. These bacteriocins were purified and characterised, and their potential applications were examined. We have also identified bioengineered derivatives of the prototype lantibiotic nisin which possess more desirable properties than the wild-type, such as enhanced antimicrobial activity. In the current communication, we discuss the main methods that were employed to identify such peptides. Furthermore, we provide a step-by-step guide to carrying out these methods that include accompanying diagrams. We hope that our recommendations and advice will be of use to others in their search for, and subsequent analysis of, novel bacteriocins, and derivatives thereof.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellen Twomey
- Department of Biological Sciences, Munster Technological University, Cork T12 P928, Ireland
| | - Colin Hill
- School of Microbiology, University College Cork, Cork T12YT20, Ireland
- APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Cork T12YT20, Ireland
| | - Des Field
- School of Microbiology, University College Cork, Cork T12YT20, Ireland
- APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Cork T12YT20, Ireland
| | - Máire Begley
- Department of Biological Sciences, Munster Technological University, Cork T12 P928, Ireland
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4
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Benítez-Chao DF, León-Buitimea A, Lerma-Escalera JA, Morones-Ramírez JR. Bacteriocins: An Overview of Antimicrobial, Toxicity, and Biosafety Assessment by in vivo Models. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:630695. [PMID: 33935991 PMCID: PMC8083986 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.630695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2020] [Accepted: 03/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The world is facing a significant increase in infections caused by drug-resistant infectious agents. In response, various strategies have been recently explored to treat them, including the development of bacteriocins. Bacteriocins are a group of antimicrobial peptides produced by bacteria, capable of controlling clinically relevant susceptible and drug-resistant bacteria. Bacteriocins have been studied to be able to modify and improve their physicochemical properties, pharmacological effects, and biosafety. This manuscript focuses on the research being developed on the biosafety of bacteriocins, which is a topic that has not been addressed extensively in previous reviews. This work discusses the studies that have tested the effect of bacteriocins against pathogens and assess their toxicity using in vivo models, including murine and other alternative animal models. Thus, this work concludes the urgency to increase and advance the in vivo models that both assess the efficacy of bacteriocins as antimicrobial agents and evaluate possible toxicity and side effects, which are key factors to determine their success as potential therapeutic agents in the fight against infections caused by multidrug-resistant microorganisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diego Francisco Benítez-Chao
- Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, San Nicolás de los Garza, Mexico.,Centro de Investigación en Biotecnología y Nanotecnología, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Parque de Investigación e Innovación Tecnológica, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Apodaca, Mexico
| | - Angel León-Buitimea
- Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, San Nicolás de los Garza, Mexico.,Centro de Investigación en Biotecnología y Nanotecnología, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Parque de Investigación e Innovación Tecnológica, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Apodaca, Mexico
| | - Jordy Alexis Lerma-Escalera
- Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, San Nicolás de los Garza, Mexico.,Centro de Investigación en Biotecnología y Nanotecnología, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Parque de Investigación e Innovación Tecnológica, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Apodaca, Mexico
| | - José Rubén Morones-Ramírez
- Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, San Nicolás de los Garza, Mexico.,Centro de Investigación en Biotecnología y Nanotecnología, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Parque de Investigación e Innovación Tecnológica, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Apodaca, Mexico
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5
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Fernandes de Oliveira LM, Steindorff M, Darisipudi MN, Mrochen DM, Trübe P, Bröker BM, Brönstrup M, Tegge W, Holtfreter S. Discovery of Staphylococcus aureus Adhesion Inhibitors by Automated Imaging and Their Characterization in a Mouse Model of Persistent Nasal Colonization. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9030631. [PMID: 33803564 PMCID: PMC8002927 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9030631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Revised: 03/10/2021] [Accepted: 03/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Due to increasing mupirocin resistance, alternatives for Staphylococcus aureus nasal decolonization are urgently needed. Adhesion inhibitors are promising new preventive agents that may be less prone to induce resistance, as they do not interfere with the viability of S. aureus and therefore exert less selection pressure. We identified promising adhesion inhibitors by screening a library of 4208 compounds for their capacity to inhibit S. aureus adhesion to A-549 epithelial cells in vitro in a novel automated, imaging-based assay. The assay quantified DAPI-stained nuclei of the host cell; attached bacteria were stained with an anti-teichoic acid antibody. The most promising candidate, aurintricarboxylic acid (ATA), was evaluated in a novel persistent S. aureus nasal colonization model using a mouse-adapted S. aureus strain. Colonized mice were treated intranasally over 7 days with ATA using a wide dose range (0.5–10%). Mupirocin completely eliminated the bacteria from the nose within three days of treatment. In contrast, even high concentrations of ATA failed to eradicate the bacteria. To conclude, our imaging-based assay and the persistent colonization model provide excellent tools to identify and validate new drug candidates against S. aureus nasal colonization. However, our first tested candidate ATA failed to induce S. aureus decolonization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liliane Maria Fernandes de Oliveira
- Institute of Immunology and Transfusion Medicine, Department of Immunology, University Medicine Greifswald, 17475 Greifswald, Germany; (L.M.F.d.O.); (M.N.D.); (D.M.M.); (P.T.); (B.M.B.)
| | - Marina Steindorff
- Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Department of Chemical Biology, 38124 Braunschweig, Germany (M.B.)
| | - Murthy N. Darisipudi
- Institute of Immunology and Transfusion Medicine, Department of Immunology, University Medicine Greifswald, 17475 Greifswald, Germany; (L.M.F.d.O.); (M.N.D.); (D.M.M.); (P.T.); (B.M.B.)
| | - Daniel M. Mrochen
- Institute of Immunology and Transfusion Medicine, Department of Immunology, University Medicine Greifswald, 17475 Greifswald, Germany; (L.M.F.d.O.); (M.N.D.); (D.M.M.); (P.T.); (B.M.B.)
| | - Patricia Trübe
- Institute of Immunology and Transfusion Medicine, Department of Immunology, University Medicine Greifswald, 17475 Greifswald, Germany; (L.M.F.d.O.); (M.N.D.); (D.M.M.); (P.T.); (B.M.B.)
| | - Barbara M. Bröker
- Institute of Immunology and Transfusion Medicine, Department of Immunology, University Medicine Greifswald, 17475 Greifswald, Germany; (L.M.F.d.O.); (M.N.D.); (D.M.M.); (P.T.); (B.M.B.)
| | - Mark Brönstrup
- Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Department of Chemical Biology, 38124 Braunschweig, Germany (M.B.)
| | - Werner Tegge
- Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Department of Chemical Biology, 38124 Braunschweig, Germany (M.B.)
- Correspondence: (W.T.); (S.H.)
| | - Silva Holtfreter
- Institute of Immunology and Transfusion Medicine, Department of Immunology, University Medicine Greifswald, 17475 Greifswald, Germany; (L.M.F.d.O.); (M.N.D.); (D.M.M.); (P.T.); (B.M.B.)
- Correspondence: (W.T.); (S.H.)
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6
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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: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [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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7
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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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8
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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: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [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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9
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Lynch D, O’Connor PM, Cotter PD, Hill C, Field D, Begley M. Identification and characterisation of capidermicin, a novel bacteriocin produced by Staphylococcus capitis. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0223541. [PMID: 31618225 PMCID: PMC6795431 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0223541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2019] [Accepted: 09/22/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
One hundred human-derived coagulase negative staphylococci (CoNS) were screened for antimicrobial activity using agar-based deferred antagonism assays with a range of indicator bacteria. Based on the findings of the screen and subsequent well assays with cell free supernatants and whole cell extracts, one strain, designated CIT060, was selected for further investigation. It was identified as Staphylococcus capitis and herein we describe the purification and characterisation of the novel bacteriocin that the strain produces. This bacteriocin which we have named capidermicin was extracted from the cell-free supernatant of S. capitis CIT060 and purified to homogeneity using reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC). Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometric (MS) analysis revealed that the capidermicin peptide has a mass of 5,464 Da. Minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) experiments showed that capidermicin was active in the micro-molar range against all the Gram-positive bacteria that were tested. Antimicrobial activity was retained over a range of pHs (2–11) and temperatures (10–121°C x 15 mins). The draft genome sequence of S. capitis CIT060 was determined and the genes predicted to be involved in the biosynthesis of capidermicin were identified. These genes included the predicted capidermicin precursor gene, and genes that are predicted to encode a membrane transporter, an immunity protein and a transcriptional regulator. Homology searches suggest that capidermicin is a novel member of the family of class II leaderless bacteriocins.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Lynch
- Department of Biological Sciences, Cork Institute of Technology, Cork, Ireland
| | - Paula M. O’Connor
- Teagasc Food Research Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, Cork, Ireland
- APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Paul D. Cotter
- Teagasc Food Research Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, Cork, Ireland
- APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Colin Hill
- APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
- School of Microbiology, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Des Field
- APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
- School of Microbiology, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
- * E-mail: (MB); (DF)
| | - Máire Begley
- Department of Biological Sciences, Cork Institute of Technology, Cork, Ireland
- APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
- * E-mail: (MB); (DF)
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