Properties of a bacteriocin-like substance produced byStreptomyces virginiae

Streptomyces virginiae produces both spontaneously and after irradiation a substance of polypeptide nature which kills streptomycetes without lysis. In its increased synthesis after U.V.-irradiation, its narrow spectrum of action restricted to the streptomycetes, and its specific adsorption on living sensitive cells, this inhibitor resembles the bacteriocins.     

Characterization of a bacteriocin-like substance produced by a vaginal Lactobacillus salivarius strain

A novel bacteriocin-like substance produced by vaginal Lactobacillus salivarius subsp. salivarius CRL 1328 with activity against Enterococcus faecalis, Enterococcus faecium, and Neisseria gonorrhoeae was characterized. The highest level of production of this heat-resistant peptide or protein occurred during the late exponential phase. Its mode of action was shown to be bactericidal. L. salivarius subsp. salivarius CRL 1328 could be used for the design of a probiotic to prevent urogenital infections.     

Detection and antimicrobial spectrum of a bacteriocin-like substance produced by Enterococcus faecium CCM4231

Enterococcus faecium CCM4231, isolated from the rumen content of a calf, produced an antimicrobial agent active against Gram-positive and Gram-negative indicator organisms. After 100-fold concentration by ultrafiltration, the diameters of zones of inhibition ranged from 2 to 10 mm. The agent was sensitive to pronase and trypsin and resistant to heating at 60°C for 30 min.     

Coagulin, a bacteriocin-like inhibitory substance produced by Bacillus coagulans I4

A protease-sensitive antibacterial substance produced by Bacillus coagulans I₄ strain, isolated from cattle faeces, was classified as a bacteriocin-like inhibitory substance and named coagulin. The inhibitory spectrum included B. coagulans and unrelated bacteria such as Enterococcus , Leuconostoc , Oenococcus , Listeria and Pediococcus . Coagulin was stable at 60 °C for 90 min, at a pH ranging from 4 to 8 and appeared to be unaffected by α-amylase, lipase or organic solvents (10% v/v). Coagulin exhibited a bactericidal and a bacteriolytic mode of action against indicator cells. The apparent molecular mass was estimated to be about 3–4 kDa by SDS-PAGE. The B. coagulans I₄ strain harbours a plasmid, pI₄, approximately 14 kb in size. Novobiocin curing experiments yielded two derivatives that no longer produced the bacteriocin-like inhibitory substance. Plasmid content of these two derivatives showed that one had lost pI₄,whereas the second harboured a deleted form of this plasmid, thus suggesting a plasmid location for the genes for coagulin production.     

Detection and properties of curvaticin 13, a bacteriocin-like substance produced byLactobacillus curvatus SB13

Lactobacillus curvatus SB13 biosynthetized during growth and excreted into the culture medium an inhibitor active againstListeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, and some other Gram-positive bacteria. The native activity was linked to a non-dialyzable proteinaceous complex, destroyed by proteases, with an apparent molecular weight greater that 10 kDa. It showed a hydrophobic character, being soluble in alcohols and not denaturated by several organic solvents. The molecule was partially purified by ammonium sulfate precipitation and hydrophobic interaction chromatography.     

Properties and characteristics of a bacteriocin-like substance produced by Propionibacterium acnes isolated from dental plaque

A cell-associated bacteriocinlike substance with an approximate molecular weight of 78,000 was isolated from an oral isolate of Propionibacterium acnes. The substance was bacteriostatic and was active against both gram-positive and gram-negative anaerobes. Lysozyme inhibited the activity of the bacteriocinlike substance at low ionic strength.     

Glaucescin, a bacteriocin-like substance from Streptomyces glaucescens

Streptomyces glaucescens ETH 22794 produced a variety of antibiotic substances. Besides low molecular weight antibiotics like hydroxystreptomycin and the tetracenomycins, this strain excreted glaucescin, a high molecular weight product with bacteriocin-like properties. In plate tests the antagonism of glaucescin against Streptomyces canadiensis was masked by the large inhibition zone caused by the tetracenomycins. Glaucescin activity was revealed when a tetracenomycin-resistant mutant of S. canadiensis NRRL 3155 was used as an indicator. Glaucesin was produced on complex and minimal solid and liquid media. It was not inducible by mitomycin C. The killing activity of glaucescin was thermolabile and resistant to DNAase, RNAase, various proteinases, and lipase. Its apparent molecular weight was estimated as 196000 by gel filtration and glycerol gradient centrifugation. Glaucescin preferentially killed outgrowing spores of S. canadiensis. Resting spores and mycelium were considerably less sensitive to the inhibitor, and adsorption of glaucescin by S. canadiensis paralleled sensitivity. The activity spectrum of the bacteriocin was restricted to spore-forming Actinomycetales. Non spore-forming nocardiae and a variety of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria were resistant to glaucescin.     

Characterization of a bacteriocin-like substance produced by Bacillus amyloliquefaciens isolated from the Brazilian Atlantic forest.

A Bacillus strain producing a bacteriocin-like substance was characterized by biochemical profiling and 16S rDNA sequencing. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that the strain has high sequence similarity with Bacillus amyloliquefaciens. The antimicrobial substance was inhibitory to pathogenic and food-spoilage bacteria, such as Listeria monocytogenes, Bacillus cereus, Serratia marcescens, and Pasteurella haemolytica. It was stable over a wide temperature range, but lost activity when the temperature reached 121 degrees C/15 min. Maximum activity was observed at acidic and neutral pH values, but not at alkaline pH. The antimicrobial substance was sensitive to the proteolytic action of trypsin, papain, proteinase K, and pronase E. Except for iturins, other antimicrobial peptides have not been described for B. amyloliquefaciens. The identification of a bacteriocin-like inhibitory substance active against L. monocytogenes addresses an important aspect of food protection.     

Inhibition of Vibrio parahaemolyticus by a bacteriocin-like inhibitory substance (BLIS) produced by Vibrio mediterranei 1

AIMS: The aim of this research was to identify and partially purify new bacteriocin-like substances from strains of halophilic 'non-cholera' vibrios isolated from food sources. METHODS AND RESULTS: Forty-five halophilic Vibrio spp. strains were screened for antimicrobial production. Vibrio mediterranei 1, a nonpathogenic strain, showed antimicrobial activity towards Vibrio parahaemolyticus spp. and related species. The bacteriocin-like inhibitory substance (BLIS), released by the bacteria into growth media, was concentrated by ultrafiltration and characterized. BLIS was sensitive to proteinase K, was stable in the pH range 5-9, was resistant to organic solvents and was heat stable up to 75 degrees C. Initial purification of BLIS by size exclusion chromatography showed an apparent molecular mass of 63-65 kDa. CONCLUSIONS: This study reports the ability of V. mediterranei 1 to produce a bacteriocin-like substance inhibiting growth of V. parahaemolyticus spp. and other closely related bacteria. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The strong activity of BLIS towards the human and fish pathogen V. parahaemolyticus and the persistence of antimicrobial properties under a variety of different conditions suggest its potential application in food microbiology.     

Antimicrobial activity of bacteriocin-like inhibitory substance produced by Pediococcus pentosaceus: from shake flasks to bioreactor

Molecular Biology Reports - Bacteriocins are peptides produced by various species of bacteria, especially lactic acid bacteria (LAB), which have a large spectrum of action against spoilage bacteria...     

Antibacterial activity of a bacteriocin-like substance produced by Bacillus sp. P34 that targets the bacterial cell envelope

The objective of this study was to investigate the mode of action of BLS P34, a bacteriocin-like substance (BLS) produced by a novel Bacillus sp. strain P34 isolated from the Amazon basin. The effect of the BLS was tested against Listeria monocytogenes, showing a bactericidal effect at 200 AU (activity units) ml⁻¹, while no inhibition of spore outgrowth of Bacillus cereus was observed with a dose of 1,600 AU ml⁻¹. Growth of Escherichia coli and Salmonella Enteritidis was inhibited, but only when the chelating agent EDTA was co-added with the BLS. The effect of BLS P34 on L. monocytogenes was also investigated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Treated cells showed an important frequency increase in 1,452 and 1,397 cm⁻¹ and decrease in 1,217 and 1,058 cm⁻¹, corresponding assignments of fatty acids and phospholipids. Transmission electron microscopy showed damaged cell envelope and loss of protoplasmic material. BLS P34 was bactericidal to Gram-positive, and also showed inhibitory effect against Gram-negative bacteria. There is evidence that its mode of action corresponds to that of a membrane-active substance. The knowledge about the mode of action of this BLS is essential to determine its effective application as an antimicrobial agent.     

Antibacterial activity of cerein 8A, a bacteriocin-like peptide produced by Bacillus cereus.

The mode of action of cerein 8A, a bacteriocin produced by the soil bacterium Bacillus cereus 8A, was investigated. The effect of cerein 8A was tested against Listeria monocytogenes and a bactericidal effect at 400 arbitrary units (AU)/ml was observed. In addition, cerein 8A was bactericidal against Bacillus cereus at 200 AU/ml, and inhibited the growth of Escherichia coli and Salmonella Enteritidis. Stronger inhibition of these gram-negative bacteria was achieved when the chelating agent EDTA was added together with bacteriocin. The effect of cerein 8A on B. cereus and L. monocytogenes was also investigated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Treated cells had an important frequency increase at 2920 cm-1 and a decrease at 1400 cm-1, corresponding to assignments of fatty acids. Transmission electron microscopy showed damaged cell walls and loss of protoplasmic material. These results suggest that the mode of action of cerein 8A is to interfere with cell membranes and the cell wall.     

Antimicrobial spectrum of bacteriocin-like substances produced by rumen staphylococci

Five strains of rumen coagulase-negative adherent and ureolytic staphylococci were obtained as bacteria producting bacteriocin-like substances or, lantibiotics. All examined staphylococci produced inhibitory agents which showed a wide range of inhibition against Gram-positive and Gram-negative indicator organisms from different sources. Clear zones of inhibition (diameter 1–6 mm) dominated. Most bacteriocin-like substances produced by the strains were stable and sensitive to trypsin, susceptible to chloroform vapours and heat-sensitive.     

地衣芽孢杆菌类细菌素的分离、鉴定及其原核表达

目前,我国饲料中全面禁止添加抗生素,寻找新型的抗生素替代物成为科学研究的热点之一.为获得新的细菌素,本研究以大肠杆菌、沙门氏菌、金黄色葡萄球菌、表皮葡萄球菌、藤黄微球菌和单增李斯特氏菌为指示菌,通过牛津杯扩散法从羊驼粪便中筛选到高产抑菌物质的芽孢杆菌.基于菌落特征、革兰氏染色和16SrRNA的鉴定结果,将分离到的产抑菌...     

Identification of a new Bacillus licheniformis strain producing a bacteriocin-like substance

The emergence of antibiotic resistance has spurred a great number of studies for development of new antimicrobials in the past decade. The purpose of this study was to screen environmental samples for Bacillus strains producing potent antimicrobial agents. A new strain, which showed strong antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella enterica ser. Pullorum, was isolated from soil and designated as B116. This new isolate was identified as Bacillus licheniformis by morphological, biochemical and genetic analyses. The production of bacteriocin-like substance (BLS) started at early exponential phase and achieved highest level at early stationary phase. The BLS was precipitated by ammonium sulfate and its molecular mass was determined as ～4 kDa by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). Culture supernatant of the new isolate exhibited antimicrobial activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, including Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes, Micrococcus luteus, Escherichia coli, and Salmonella spp. The BLS was resistant to heat, acid and alkaline treatment. Activity of the BLS was totally lost after digestion by pronase and partially lost after digestion by papain and lipase. The new isolate and relevant BLS are potentially useful in food and feed applications.     

Antimicrobial activity of lactic acid bacteria isolated from Tenerife cheese: initial characterization of plantaricin TF711, a bacteriocin-like substance produced by Lactobacillus plantarum TF711

AIMS: The screening and initial characterization of bacteriocins produced by lactic acid bacteria (LAB) from raw Tenerife goats' cheese with possible application as biopreservatives or ripening accelerators for Tenerife cheese. METHODS AND RESULTS: One hundred and eighty LAB of the genera Lactobacillus (95), Leuconostoc (64) and Lactococcus (21) isolated from raw Tenerife goats' cheese were screened for the production of antimicrobial substances. Lactobacillus plantarum TF711, which had the broadest spectrum of antimicrobial activity, was selected for further characterization. The antimicrobial compound was determined as a proteinaceous substance, as it was sensitive to proteases. The bacteriocin-like substance, which we called plantaricin TF711, was active against the Gram-positive bacteria Bacillus cereus, Clostridium sporogenes and Staphylococcus aureus; and against the Enterobacteriaceae Shigella sonnei and Klebsiella pneumoniae. It was stable to heat and to treatment with surfactants and organic solvents. Highest antimicrobial activity was found between pH 1 and 9. Plantaricin TF711 exhibited primary metabolite kinetics, a bacteriostatic mode of action and a molecular mass of c. 2.5 kDa as determined by tricine SDS-PAGE. CONCLUSIONS: Lact. plantarum TF711 produces a low molecular mass bacteriocin-like compound with a wide spectrum of activity and interesting technological properties (thermostability, good pH stability and stability against surfactants and organic solvents). SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Plantaricin TF711 was found to have potential for use as a biopreservative in the food industry.     

New insight in staphylococcin research: bacteriocin and/or bacteriocin-like inhibitory substance(s) produced by S. aureus AB188

Summary Staphylococcus aureus AB188 (a clinical isolate from wound pus) has been found to produce bacteriocins and/or bacteriocin-like inhibitory substance(s) tentatively termed staphylococcin Bac188. It has a broad activity spectrum against many Gram-positive (e.g. B. subtilis, S. aureus, E. faecalis), Gram-negative bacteria (e.g. E. coli, S. typhi and S. dysenteriae), and dermatophytes including Microsporum canis, Microsporum gypseum, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Trichophyton longi and Trichophyton rubrum. Interestingly, staphylococcin Bac188 also showed very potent activity against many clinical isolates of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Staphylococcin Bac188 showed wide thermostability and remained stable over the wide pH range (pH 2–14). It was also resistant to treatment with chloroform, catalase, lipase and lysozyme, but showed sensitivity to proteinase K, trypsin and α-chymotrypsin suggesting its proteinaceous nature. Staphylococcin Bac188 revealed bactericidal effects on the S. aureus SS-1 sensitive strain as well as on E. coli and S. typhi, suggesting a similar mode of action on both Gram-negative and Gram-positive organisms. The antimicrobial, antidermatophytic and antimycobacterial activities expressed by S. aureus AB188 correlate with the production of a bacteriocin and/or bacteriocin-like inhibitory substance with properties similar to other staphylococcins reported earlier. To our knowledge, this is the first report describing such wide possible clinical applications of a bacteriocin and/or bacteriocin-like inhibitory substance produced by S. aureus AB188, suggesting further investigation for potential therapeutic development.