1
|
Structure and Activity Relationships of the Two-Component Lantibiotic Bicereucin. ACS Infect Dis 2022; 8:2529-2539. [PMID: 36354217 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.2c00371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Identified from the pathogen Bacillus cereus SJ1, the two-component lantibiotic bicereucin is featured by the presence of a series of nonproteogenic amino acids and exhibits potent synergistic activity against a broad spectrum of Gram-positive bacteria, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and vancomycin-resistant Enterococci, as well as hemolytic activity against mammalian cells. In this study, we performed site-directed mutagenesis on the nonproteogenic amino acids as well as truncation of dehydrobutyrine-rich N-terminal residues and evaluated the effects on both biological activities. We identified that D-Ala21 and D-Ala26 of Bsjα and D-Ala23 and D-Ala28 of Bsjβ play an essential role in the antimicrobial activity, while the N-termini of both peptides are important for both activities. We also determined that the integrity of both subunits is essential for hemolytic activity. Finally, we obtained two variants BsjαtS17A+Bsjβ and BsjαS30A+BsjβT19A, which retained the antimicrobial activity and exhibited greatly decreased hemolytic toxicity. Overall, our results provide a comprehensive understanding of the structure-activity relationships of bicereucin and insights into the mechanism of action thereof, facilitating the further exploration of the molecular basis of the binding receptor of bicereucin and genome mining of potential novel two-component lantibiotics.
Collapse
|
2
|
Ongpipattanakul C, Desormeaux EK, DiCaprio A, van der Donk WA, Mitchell DA, Nair SK. Mechanism of Action of Ribosomally Synthesized and Post-Translationally Modified Peptides. Chem Rev 2022; 122:14722-14814. [PMID: 36049139 PMCID: PMC9897510 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.2c00210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Ribosomally synthesized and post-translationally modified peptides (RiPPs) are a natural product class that has undergone significant expansion due to the rapid growth in genome sequencing data and recognition that they are made by biosynthetic pathways that share many characteristic features. Their mode of actions cover a wide range of biological processes and include binding to membranes, receptors, enzymes, lipids, RNA, and metals as well as use as cofactors and signaling molecules. This review covers the currently known modes of action (MOA) of RiPPs. In turn, the mechanisms by which these molecules interact with their natural targets provide a rich set of molecular paradigms that can be used for the design or evolution of new or improved activities given the relative ease of engineering RiPPs. In this review, coverage is limited to RiPPs originating from bacteria.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chayanid Ongpipattanakul
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 600 South Mathews Avenue, Urbana, Illinois 61801, USA
| | - Emily K. Desormeaux
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 600 South Mathews Avenue, Urbana, Illinois 61801, USA
| | - Adam DiCaprio
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 600 South Mathews Avenue, Urbana, Illinois 61801, USA
| | - Wilfred A. van der Donk
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 600 South Mathews Avenue, Urbana, Illinois 61801, USA.,Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 600 South Mathews Avenue, Urbana, Illinois 61801, USA.,Department of Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 600 South Mathews Avenue, Urbana, Illinois 61801, USA.,Departments of Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1206 West Gregory Drive, Urbana, Illinois 61801, USA.,Corresponding authors Wilfred A. van der Donk, , 217-244-5360, Douglas A. Mitchell, , 217-333-1345, Satish K. Nair, , 217-333-0641
| | - Douglas A. Mitchell
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 600 South Mathews Avenue, Urbana, Illinois 61801, USA.,Department of Microbiology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 600 South Mathews Avenue, Urbana, Illinois 61801, USA.,Departments of Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1206 West Gregory Drive, Urbana, Illinois 61801, USA.,Corresponding authors Wilfred A. van der Donk, , 217-244-5360, Douglas A. Mitchell, , 217-333-1345, Satish K. Nair, , 217-333-0641
| | - Satish K. Nair
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 600 South Mathews Avenue, Urbana, Illinois 61801, USA.,Departments of Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1206 West Gregory Drive, Urbana, Illinois 61801, USA.,Corresponding authors Wilfred A. van der Donk, , 217-244-5360, Douglas A. Mitchell, , 217-333-1345, Satish K. Nair, , 217-333-0641
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Viel JH, Kuipers OP. Mutational Studies of the Mersacidin Leader Reveal the Function of Its Unique Two-Step Leader Processing Mechanism. ACS Synth Biol 2022; 11:1949-1957. [PMID: 35504017 PMCID: PMC9127955 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.2c00088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
![]()
The class II lanthipeptide
mersacidin, a ribosomally synthesized
and post-translationally modified peptide (RiPP), displays unique
intramolecular structures, including a very small lanthionine ring.
When applied in the growing field of RiPP engineering, these can add
unique features to new-to-nature compounds with novel properties.
Recently, a heterologous expression system for mersacidin in Escherichia coli was developed to add its modification
enzymes to the RiPP engineering toolbox and further explore mersacidin
biosynthesis and leader-processing. The dedicated mersacidin transporter
and leader protease MrsT was shown to cleave the leader peptide only
partially upon export, transporting GDMEAA-mersacidin out of the cell.
The extracellular Bacillus amyloliquefaciens protease AprE was shown to release active mersacidin in a second
leader-processing step after transport. The conserved LanT cleavage
site in the mersacidin leader is present in many other class II lanthipeptides.
In contrast to mersacidin, the leader of these peptides is fully processed
in one step. This difference with mersacidin leader-processing raises
fundamentally interesting questions about the specifics of mersacidin
modification and processing, which is also crucial for its application
in RiPP engineering. Here, mutational studies of the mersacidin leader–core
interface were performed to answer these questions. Results showed
the GDMEAA sequence is crucial for both mersacidin modification and
leader processing, revealing a unique leader layout in which a LanM
recognition site is positioned downstream of the conserved leader-protease
LanT cleavage site. Moreover, by identifying residues and regions
that are crucial for mersacidin-type modifications, the wider application
of mersacidin modifications in RiPP engineering has been enabled.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jakob H. Viel
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 7, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Oscar P. Kuipers
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 7, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
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.
Collapse
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
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Nowakowski M, Jaremko Ł, Wladyka B, Dubin G, Ejchart A, Mak P. Spatial attributes of the four-helix bundle group of bacteriocins - The high-resolution structure of BacSp222 in solution. Int J Biol Macromol 2017; 107:2715-2724. [PMID: 29107139 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2017.10.158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2017] [Revised: 10/24/2017] [Accepted: 10/25/2017] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
BacSp222 is a multifunctional bacteriocin produced by Staphylococcus pseudintermedius strain 222, an opportunistic pathogen of domestic animals. At micromolar concentrations, BacSp222 kills Gram-positive bacteria and is cytotoxic toward mammalian cells, while at nanomolar doses, it acts as an immunomodulatory factor, enhancing nitric oxide release in macrophage-like cell lines. The bacteriocin is a cationic, N-terminally formylated, 50-amino-acid-long linear peptide that is rich in tryptophan residues. In this study, the solution structure of BacSp222 was determined and compared to the currently known structures of similar bacteriocins. BacSp222 was isolated from a liquid culture medium in a uniformly 13C- and 15N-labeled form, and NMR data were collected. The structure was calculated based on NMR-derived constraints and consists of a rigid and tightly packed globular bundle of four alpha-helices separated by three short turns. Although the amino acid sequence of BacSp222 has no significant similarity to any known peptide or protein, a 3D structure similarity search indicates a close relation to other four-helix bundle-motif bacteriocins, such as aureocin A53, lacticin Q and enterocins 7A/7B. Assuming similar functions, biology, structure and physicochemical properties, we propose to distinguish the four-helix bundle bacteriocins as a new Type A in subclass IId of bacteriocins, containing linear, non-pediocin-like peptides.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michał Nowakowski
- Faculty of Chemistry, Biological and Chemical Research Centre, University of Warsaw, Żwirki i Wigury 101, 02-089 Warszawa, Poland.
| | - Łukasz Jaremko
- Division of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Benedykt Wladyka
- Department of Analytical Biochemistry, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30-387 Kraków, Poland.
| | - Grzegorz Dubin
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30-387 Kraków, Poland; Małopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7a, 30-387 Kraków, Poland.
| | - Andrzej Ejchart
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysiscs, Polish Academy of Science, Laboratory of Biological NMR, Pawińskiego 5A, 02-106 Warszawa, Poland.
| | - Paweł Mak
- Department of Analytical Biochemistry, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30-387 Kraków, Poland.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Roces C, Rodríguez A, Martínez B. Cell Wall-active Bacteriocins and Their Applications Beyond Antibiotic Activity. Probiotics Antimicrob Proteins 2016; 4:259-72. [PMID: 26782186 DOI: 10.1007/s12602-012-9116-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Microorganisms synthesize several compounds with antimicrobial activity in order to compete or defend themselves against others and ensure their survival. In this line, the cell wall is a major protective barrier whose integrity is essential for many vital bacterial processes. Probably for this reason, it represents a 'hot spot' as a target for many antibiotics and antimicrobial peptides such as bacteriocins. Bacteriocins have largely been recognized by their pore-forming ability that collapses the selective permeability of the cytoplasmic membrane. However, in the last few years, many bacteriocins have been shown to inhibit cell wall biosyntheis alone, or in a concerted action with pore formation like nisin. Examples of cell wall-active bacteriocins are found in both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria and include a wide diversity of structures such as nisin-like and mersacidin-like lipid II-binding bacteriocins, two-peptide lantibiotics, and non-modified bacteriocins. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge on these antimicrobial peptides as well as the role, composition, and biosynthesis of the bacterial cell wall as their target. Moreover, even though bacteriocins have been a matter of interest as natural food antimicrobials, we propose them as suitable tools to provide new means to improve biotechnologically relevant microorganisms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Clara Roces
- DairySafe Group, Department of Technology and Biotechnology of Dairy Products, Instituto de Productos Lácteos de Asturias (IPLA-CSIC), Paseo Río Linares s/n., 33300, Villaviciosa, Asturias, Spain
| | - Ana Rodríguez
- DairySafe Group, Department of Technology and Biotechnology of Dairy Products, Instituto de Productos Lácteos de Asturias (IPLA-CSIC), Paseo Río Linares s/n., 33300, Villaviciosa, Asturias, Spain
| | - Beatriz Martínez
- DairySafe Group, Department of Technology and Biotechnology of Dairy Products, Instituto de Productos Lácteos de Asturias (IPLA-CSIC), Paseo Río Linares s/n., 33300, Villaviciosa, Asturias, Spain.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Oppedijk SF, Martin NI, Breukink E. Hit 'em where it hurts: The growing and structurally diverse family of peptides that target lipid-II. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES 2015; 1858:947-57. [PMID: 26523408 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2015.10.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2015] [Revised: 10/27/2015] [Accepted: 10/28/2015] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Understanding the mode of action of antibiotics is becoming more and more important in the time that microorganisms start to develop resistance. One very well validated target of several classes of antibiotics is the peptidoglycan precursor lipid II. In this review different classes of lipid II targeting antibiotics will be discussed in detail, including the lantibiotics, human invertebrate defensins and the recently discovered teixobactin. By hitting bacteria where it hurts, at the level of lipid II, we expect to be able to develop efficient antibacterial agents in the future. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Antimicrobial peptides edited by Karl Lohner and Kai Hilpert.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sabine F Oppedijk
- Membrane biochemistry and Biophysics, Utrecht University, Padualaan 8, 3584 CH Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Nathaniel I Martin
- Medicinal Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Utrecht University, Universiteitsweg 99, 3584 CG Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Eefjan Breukink
- Membrane biochemistry and Biophysics, Utrecht University, Padualaan 8, 3584 CH Utrecht, The Netherlands.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
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.
Collapse
|
9
|
Field D, Molloy EM, Iancu C, Draper LA, O' Connor PM, Cotter PD, Hill C, Ross RP. Saturation mutagenesis of selected residues of the α-peptide of the lantibiotic lacticin 3147 yields a derivative with enhanced antimicrobial activity. Microb Biotechnol 2013; 6:564-75. [PMID: 23433070 PMCID: PMC3918158 DOI: 10.1111/1751-7915.12041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2012] [Revised: 11/30/2012] [Accepted: 12/27/2012] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The lantibiotic lacticin 3147 consists of two ribosomally synthesized and post-translationally modified antimicrobial peptides, Ltnα and Ltnβ, which act synergistically against a wide range of Gram-positive microorganisms. We performed saturation mutagenesis of specific residues of Ltnα to determine their functional importance. The results establish that Ltnα is more tolerant to change than previously suggested by alanine scanning mutagenesis. One substitution, LtnαH23S, was identified which improved the specific activity of lacticin 3147 against one pathogenic strain, Staphylococcus aureus NCDO1499. This represents the first occasion upon which the activity of a two peptide lantibiotic has been enhanced through bioengineering.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Des Field
- Department of Microbiology, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
10
|
Suda S, Hill C, Cotter PD, Ross RP. Investigating the importance of charged residues in lantibiotics. Bioeng Bugs 2012; 1:345-51. [PMID: 21326835 DOI: 10.4161/bbug.1.5.12353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2010] [Revised: 05/04/2010] [Accepted: 05/04/2010] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Lantibiotics are antimicrobial peptides which can have a broad spectrum activity against many Gram positive pathogens. Many of these peptides contain charged amino acids which may be of critical importance with respect to antimicrobial activity. We have recently carried out an in-depth bioengineering based investigation of the importance of charged residues in a representative two peptide lantibiotic, lacticin 3147, and here we discuss the significance of these findings in the context of other lantibiotics and cationic antimicrobial peptides.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Srinivas Suda
- Department of Microbiology, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
11
|
Homologues and bioengineered derivatives of LtnJ vary in ability to form D-alanine in the lantibiotic lacticin 3147. J Bacteriol 2011; 194:708-14. [PMID: 22123251 DOI: 10.1128/jb.06185-11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Ltnα and Ltnβ are individual components of the two-peptide lantibiotic lacticin 3147 and are unusual in that, although ribosomally synthesized, they contain d-amino acids. These result from the dehydration of l-serine to dehydroalanine by LtnM and subsequent stereospecific hydrogenation to d-alanine by LtnJ. Homologues of LtnJ are rare but have been identified in silico in Staphylococcus aureus C55 (SacJ), Pediococcus pentosaceus FBB61 (PenN), and Nostoc punctiforme PCC73102 (NpnJ, previously called NpunJ [P. D. Cotter et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 102:18584-18589, 2005]). Here, the ability of these enzymes to catalyze d-alanine formation in the lacticin 3147 system was assessed through heterologous enzyme production in a ΔltnJ mutant. PenN successfully incorporated d-alanines in both peptides, and SacJ modified Ltnα only, while NpnJ was unable to modify either peptide. Site-directed mutagenesis was also employed to identify residues of key importance in LtnJ. The most surprising outcome from these investigations was the generation of peptides by specific LtnJ mutants which exhibited less bioactivity than those generated by the ΔltnJ strain. We have established that the reduced activity of these peptides is due to the inability of the associated LtnJ enzymes to generate d-alanine residues in a stereospecific manner, resulting in the presence of both d- and l-alanines at the relevant locations in the lacticin 3147 peptides.
Collapse
|
12
|
Further Identification of Novel Lantibiotic Operons Using LanM-Based Genome Mining. Probiotics Antimicrob Proteins 2011; 3:27-40. [DOI: 10.1007/s12602-011-9062-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
|
13
|
Fundamental functionality: recent developments in understanding the structure–activity relationships of lantibiotic peptides. J Antibiot (Tokyo) 2010; 64:27-34. [DOI: 10.1038/ja.2010.136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
|
14
|
Suda S, Westerbeek A, O'Connor PM, Ross RP, Hill C, Cotter PD. Effect of Bioengineering Lacticin 3147 Lanthionine Bridges on Specific Activity and Resistance to Heat and Proteases. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2010; 17:1151-60. [DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2010.08.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2010] [Revised: 08/11/2010] [Accepted: 08/17/2010] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
|
15
|
Zendo T, Yoneyama F, Sonomoto K. Lactococcal membrane-permeabilizing antimicrobial peptides. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2010; 88:1-9. [PMID: 20645082 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-010-2764-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2010] [Revised: 07/02/2010] [Accepted: 07/04/2010] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
A number of lactococcal antimicrobial peptides, bacteriocins have been discovered and characterized. Since Lactococcus spp. are generally regarded as safe bacteria, their bacteriocins are expected for various application uses. Most of lactococcal bacteriocins exert antimicrobial activity via membrane permeabilization. The most studied and prominent bacteriocin, nisin A is characterized in the high activity and has been utilized as food preservatives for more than half a century. Recently, other lactococcal bacteriocins such as lacticin Q were found to have distinguished features for further applications as the next generation to nisin.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Takeshi Zendo
- Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Division of Applied Molecular Microbiology and Biomass Chemistry, Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Kyushu University, 6-10-1 Hakozaki, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka, 812-8581, Japan
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
16
|
Deegan LH, Suda S, Lawton EM, Draper LA, Hugenholtz F, Peschel A, Hill C, Cotter PD, Ross RP. Manipulation of charged residues within the two-peptide lantibiotic lacticin 3147. Microb Biotechnol 2009; 3:222-34. [PMID: 21255322 PMCID: PMC3836577 DOI: 10.1111/j.1751-7915.2009.00145.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Lantibiotics are antimicrobial peptides which contain a high percentage of post-translationally modified residues. While most attention has been paid to the role of these critical structural features, evidence continues to emerge that charged amino acids also play a key role in these peptides. Here 16 'charge' mutants of the two-peptide lantibiotic lacticin 3147 [composed of Ltnα (2+, 2-) and Ltnβ (2+)] were constructed which, when supplemented with previously generated peptides, results in a total bank of 23 derivatives altered in one or more charged residues. When examined individually, in combination with a wild-type partner or, in some instances, in combination with one another, these mutants reveal the importance of charge at specific locations within Ltnα and Ltnβ, confirm the critical role of the negatively charged glutamate residue in Ltnα and facilitate an investigation of the contribution of positively charged residues to the cationic Ltnβ. From these investigations it is also apparent that the relative importance of the overall charge of lacticin 3147 varies depending on the target bacteria and is most evident when strains with more negatively charged cell envelopes are targeted. These studies also result in, for the first time, the creation of a derivative of a lacticin 3147 peptide (LtnβR27A) which displays enhanced specific activity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lucy H Deegan
- Department of Microbiology and Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
17
|
Lantibiotics: diverse activities and unique modes of action. J Biosci Bioeng 2009; 107:475-87. [PMID: 19393544 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiosc.2009.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 113] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2008] [Revised: 01/09/2009] [Accepted: 01/09/2009] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Lantibiotics are one of the most promising alternative candidates for future antibiotics that maintain their antibacterial efficacy through many mechanisms. Of these mechanisms, some modes of activity have recently been reported, providing opportunities to show these peptides as potential candidates for forthcoming applications. Many findings providing new insight into the detailed molecular activities of numerous lantibiotics are constantly being uncovered. The combination of antibiotic mechanisms in one lantibiotic molecule shows its diverse antimicrobial usefulness as a future generation of antibiotic. Since lantibiotics do not have any known candidate resistance mechanisms, the discovered distinct modes of activity may revolutionize the design of anti-infective drugs through the knowledge provided by these super molecules. In this review, we discuss the rising assortment of lantibiotics, with special emphasis on their structure-function relationships, addressing the unique activities involved in their individual modes of action.
Collapse
|
18
|
Draper LA, Grainger K, Deegan LH, Cotter PD, Hill C, Ross RP. Cross-immunity and immune mimicry as mechanisms of resistance to the lantibiotic lacticin 3147. Mol Microbiol 2009; 71:1043-54. [PMID: 19183281 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2958.2008.06590.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Lantibiotics are antimicrobial peptides that possess great potential as clinical therapeutic agents. These peptides exhibit many beneficial traits and in many cases the emergence of resistance is extremely rare. In contrast, producers of lantibiotics synthesize dedicated immunity proteins to provide self-protection. These proteins have very specific activities and cross-immunity is rare. However, producers of two peptide lantibiotics, such as lacticin 3147, face the unusual challenge of exposure to two active peptides (alpha and beta). Here, in addition to establishing the contribution of LtnI and LtnFE to lacticin 3147 immunity, investigations were carried out to determine if production of a closely related lantibiotic (i.e. staphylococcin C55) or possession of LtnI/LtnFE homologues could provide protection. Here we establish that not only are staphylococcin C55 producers cross-immune to lacticin 3147, and therefore represent a natural repository of Staphylococcus aureus strains that are protected against lacticin 3147, but that functional immunity homologues are also produced by strains of Bacillus licheniformis and Enterococcus faecium. This result raises the spectre of resistance through immune mimicry, i.e. the emergence of lantibiotic-resistant strains from the environment resulting from the possession/acquisition of immunity gene homologues. These phenomena will have to be considered carefully when developing lantibiotics for clinical application.
Collapse
|
19
|
Martin NI, Breukink E. Expanding role of lipid II as a target for lantibiotics. Future Microbiol 2007; 2:513-25. [PMID: 17927474 DOI: 10.2217/17460913.2.5.513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Lipid II is an essential cell-wall precursor required for the growth and replication of both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Compounds that use lipid II to selectively target bacterial cells for destruction represent an important class of antibiotics. Clinically, vancomycin is the most important example of an antibiotic that operates in this manner. Despite being considered the 'antibiotic drug of last resort', significant bacterial resistance to vancomycin now manifests itself worldwide. In this paper we review recent progress made in understanding the lipid II-associated antibacterial characteristics of various naturally occurring compounds, with particular focus on the lantibiotic peptides.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nathaniel I Martin
- Utrecht University, Department of Medicinal Chemistry & Chemical Biology, 3584 CA Utrecht, The Netherlands.
| | | |
Collapse
|