Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Des Field, Kiera Considine, Paula M. O'Connor, R. Paul Ross, Colin Hill, Paul D. Cotter
Summary: This article discusses the application and improvement of nisin in the treatment of bovine mastitis. Through bioengineering strategies, the specific activity of nisin against pathogens has been enhanced, and three nisin derivatives with improved activity have been proposed.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Ivan Sugrue, Daragh Hill, Paula M. O'Connor, Li Day, Catherine Stanton, Colin Hill, R. Paul Ross
Summary: This study describes a new variant of nisin, nisin E, produced by Streptococcus equinus strains isolated from sheep milk. The genome sequencing and analysis revealed similarities to nisin U, but with a unique rearrangement of the core peptide encoding gene. Nisin E showed antimicrobial activity against Lactobacillus, Bacillus, and Clostridiodes, and was immune to nisin U. The discovery of nisin E suggests its central role in the competitive nature of S. equinus.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Alexander A. Vinogradov, Masanobu Nagano, Yuki Goto, Hiroaki Suga
Summary: The study reports two strategies for direct access to diverse ED substrates, revealing that EDs are uniquely promiscuous enzymes capable of performing retro-Michael reaction and engaging in nonspecific hydrophobic interactions with substrates.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ester Sevillano, Nuria Pena, Irene Lafuente, Luis M. Cintas, Estefania Munoz-Atienza, Pablo E. Hernandez, Juan Borrero
Summary: In recent years, the food industry and animal farming field have been searching for strategies to reduce antibiotic use in animal production. Probiotic producers of antimicrobial peptides are being considered as a potential solution. This study discovered a novel nisin variant produced by Ligilactobacillus salivarius P1CEA3, a bacterium known for its safety and probiotic potential.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Lama Shamseddine, Clarisse Roblin, Iris Veyrier, Christian Basset, Lisa De Macedo, Anne Boyeldieu, Marc Maresca, Cendrine Nicoletti, Gael Brasseur, Sylvie Kieffer-Jaquinod, Elise Courvoisier-Dezord, Agnes Amouric, Philippe Carpentier, Nathalie Campo, Mathieu Berge, Patrice Polard, Josette Perrier, Victor Duarte, Mickael Lafond
Summary: In the context where discovering new molecules to combat antibiotic resistance is important for public health, ribosomally synthesized and post-translationally modified peptides, known as sactipeptides, show promise as an alternative. In this study, the gut symbiont Ruminococcus gnavus E1 was found to produce five sactipeptides, named Ruminococcins C1 to C5 (RumC1-C5), along with two maturases. The antibacterial activities of the mature forms of RumC2-5 were evaluated and variations in efficacy and synergy with conventional antibiotics were observed.
Article
Microbiology
Zuzana Rosenbergova, Thomas F. Oftedal, Kirill V. Ovchinnikov, Thasanth Thiyagarajah, Martin Rebros, Dzung B. Diep
Summary: Infections caused by multiresistant pathogens have become a major problem in both human and veterinary medicine. A novel two-peptide lantibiotic with broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity against multiresistant Enterococcus faecium has been isolated from Vagococcus fluvialis, offering potential therapeutic options.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2022)
Review
Microbiology
Des Field, Miguel Fernandez de Ullivarri, R. Paul Ross, Colin Hill
Summary: Nisin, a highly post-translationally modified peptide, has been extensively studied over the past 100 years. While it has been used successfully as a food preservative, its potent activity against multidrug resistant microbes and potential for therapeutic use in treating bacterial infections has shifted the focus of research towards its biomedical applications. Recent developments have shed light on the biosynthesis, cellular location, and genetic regulation of nisin, and there is growing interest in its potential role in influencing the microbiome and in bioengineering novel variants for biomedical applications.
FEMS MICROBIOLOGY REVIEWS
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Jerzy Karczewski, Christine M. Brown, Yukari Maezato, Stephen P. Krasucki, Stephen J. Streatfield
Summary: CMB001 maintained stable antibacterial activity in the presence of blood or plasma, efficiently killed S. aureus within the biofilm, and showed equivalent efficacy to vancomycin in treating MRSA infection in neutropenic mice. Further evaluation of its efficacy against other pathogens and expansion of its pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic parameters and safety profile are warranted.
JOURNAL OF ANTIMICROBIAL CHEMOTHERAPY
(2021)
Review
Microbiology
Ruben Cebrian, Marta Martinez-Garcia, Matilde Fernandez, Federico Garcia, Manuel Martinez-Bueno, Eva Valdivia, Oscar. P. P. Kuipers, Manuel Montalban-Lopez, Mercedes Maqueda
Summary: Antimicrobial resistance is a serious threat to global public health and economy. Antimicrobial peptides, such as AS-48, offer a promising solution due to their unique mechanisms of action and stability. AS-48 has demonstrated potential against a wide range of pathogens and could be a valuable tool in the fight against antimicrobial resistance.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Laura D. Martinenghi, Jorgen J. Leisner
Summary: The antimicrobial activity of bacteriocins from lactic acid bacteria has been a thriving field of research for the past 35 years. A survey conducted among 48 scientists from 19 countries revealed that significant progress has been made in the basic science of bacteriocins during the 1990s and 2000s. However, the application of bacteriocins, particularly in food biopreservation, has not been fully achieved due to various challenges.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Arnab Mondal, Priyadarshini Singha, Megan Douglass, Lori Estes, Mark Garren, Lauren Griffin, Anil Kumar, Hitesh Handa
Summary: This study demonstrates the immobilization of the antimicrobial peptide nisin on nitric oxide-releasing medical-grade silicone rubber, showing superior anti-infection efficacy in vitro without cytotoxicity towards cells. The combination of NO and nisin offers a promising antibacterial surface strategy against both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, with enhanced ability to impair biofilm formation.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2021)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Raj Kumar Thapa, Hanne Cecilie Winther-Larsen, Kirill Ovchinnikov, Harald Carlsen, Dzung B. Diep, Hanne Hjorth Tonnesen
Summary: Superficial infections in chronic wounds can hinder the wound healing process by causing persistent infections and drug-resistant biofilms. Topically applied antimicrobial formulations, such as bacteriocins, offer significant benefits for treating wound infections effectively. The developed GarKS gel showed controlled release behavior for up to 9 days, with potent antibacterial and anti-biofilm effects against Staphylococcus aureus, indicating its potential for successful treatment of wound infections.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
M. K. Al-Emarah, H. R. Kazerani, F. Taghizad, H. Dehghani, M. Elahi
Summary: This study investigated the effect of nisin, a bacteriocin produced by certain bacteria, on an animal model of obesity. The results showed that nisin significantly reduced body weight, abdominal fat, and body mass index, and decreased the expression of obesity-related genes. No toxic effects were observed. The findings suggest that nisin may have anti-obesity effects.
LIPIDS IN HEALTH AND DISEASE
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Michelle M. Gerst, Arpad Somogyi, Xu Yang, Ahmed E. Yousef
Summary: The study successfully detected and characterized a novel lantibiotic from Bacillus spp. using a multifaceted analytical approach, revealing high antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive bacteria. The discovered lantibiotic, Amyloliquecidin GF610, shows potential for applications in food, agricultural, or medical fields, and the analytical approach utilized may aid in future discoveries of challenging compounds like two-component lantibiotics.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Dominik Weixler, Max Berghoff, Kirill Ovchinnikov, Sebastian Reich, Oliver Goldbeck, Gerd M. Seibold, Christoph Wittmann, Nadav S. Bar, Bernhard J. Eikmanns, Dzung B. Diep, Christian U. Riedel
Summary: We have successfully established a two-step process for recombinant production of active nisin with C. glutamicum. This allows for the production of a bacteriocin with complex posttranslational modifications using C. glutamicum, expanding the range of bioactive compounds that can be produced. Our results provide a foundation for further research to optimize product yields, transfer production to sustainable substrates, and purify pharmaceutical grade nisin.
MICROBIAL CELL FACTORIES
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Mingjie Li, Jiuhong Ding, Catherine Stanton, R. Paul Ross, Jianxin Zhao, Bo Yang, Wei Chen
Summary: In this study, it was found that B. longum subsp. infantis FJSYZ1M3 could alleviate DSS-induced colitis through various mechanisms, including maintaining the intestinal barrier, regulating inflammatory cytokines, and modifying the gut microbiota.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Oliver W. Bayfield, Andrey N. Shkoporov, Natalya Yutin, Ekaterina V. Khokhlova, Jake L. R. Smith, Dorothy E. D. P. Hawkins, Eugene V. Koonin, Colin Hill, Alfred A. Antson
Summary: CrAssphage and related crassviruses are the most abundant viruses in the human gut, with some individuals having up to 95% of viral sequences from these viruses. By reconstructing Bacteroides intestinalis virus fcrAss001 using cryo-electron microscopy, we gained insights into the structure and function of its proteins. The muzzle protein forms a new fold called the 'crass fold' and acts as a gatekeeper for controlling cargo release. Additionally, the fcrAss001 virus provides ample storage space for cargo proteins in both the capsid and the tail, with a mechanism for protein ejection involving partial unfolding during extrusion through the tail.
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Colin Buttimer, Ekaterina V. Khokhlova, Lisa Stein, Cara M. Hueston, Bianca Govi, Lorraine A. Draper, R. Paul Ross, Andrey N. Shkoporov, Colin Hill
Summary: This study isolates and characterizes six bacteriophages that can infect Ruminococcus gnavus, a gut microbe associated with inflammatory bowel disease. The phages have a temperate lifestyle and can coexist with the host bacterium without causing a significant reduction in its abundance. Analysis of gut virome data reveals a high abundance of these phages in individuals with IBD. This work provides insight into the interaction between phages and R. gnavus in the human gut microbiome.
Review
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Susan Mills, Bo Yang, Graeme J. Smith, Catherine Stanton, R. Paul Ross
Summary: The colonization of Bifidobacterium in the neonatal gut highlights its significance to human health. Bifidobacterium longum is the most abundant species during early stages, but its levels decrease with age and in certain diseases. Research has revealed that B. longum produces bioactive molecules and can impact immune responses in various parts of the body. This review emphasizes the biological and clinical impacts of B. longum throughout different stages of human life, suggesting the need for further research and clinical trials to explore its potential in treating and preventing diseases.
Article
Microbiology
Ivan Sugrue, Daragh Hill, Paula M. O'Connor, Li Day, Catherine Stanton, Colin Hill, R. Paul Ross
Summary: This study describes a new variant of nisin, nisin E, produced by Streptococcus equinus strains isolated from sheep milk. The genome sequencing and analysis revealed similarities to nisin U, but with a unique rearrangement of the core peptide encoding gene. Nisin E showed antimicrobial activity against Lactobacillus, Bacillus, and Clostridiodes, and was immune to nisin U. The discovery of nisin E suggests its central role in the competitive nature of S. equinus.
Review
Food Science & Technology
Eleni Kamilari, Catherine Stanton, F. Jerry Reen, R. Paul Ross
Summary: This review highlights the biotechnological importance of the filamentous yeast-like fungus Geotrichum candidum, which is widely used as a starter in the dairy industry. The study found that aside from its role in the dairy and brewing industries, G. candidum has potential as a probiotic nutritional supplement in fish. Additionally, this species produces various biotechnologically important enzymes, antimicrobial compounds, and has bioremediation capabilities.
Article
Pediatrics
David B. Healy, Benjamin Campbell-Green, Vicki Livingstone, C. Anthony Ryan, R. Paul Ross, Catherine Stanton, Eugene M. Dempsey
Summary: The aim of this study was to evaluate the combined outcome of death and/or severe grade necrotising enterocolitis (NEC) in very preterm infants before and after the introduction of routine supplementation with Bifidobacterium bifidum and Lactobacillus acidophilus probiotics. The results showed a reduction in the composite outcome of severe grade NEC and/or death after the introduction of routine administration of probiotics.
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Shona Uniacke-Lowe, Fergus W. J. Collins, Colin Hill, R. Paul Ross
Summary: With the increase in antimicrobial resistance, the deep-sea fish microbiome can serve as a potential source of antimicrobials, including bacteriocins. In this study, bacterial isolates recovered from deep-sea fish were screened for antimicrobial activity and their genomic DNA was analyzed for bacteriocin and other antimicrobial metabolite genes. The study identified 147 candidate biosynthetic gene clusters, including 35 bacteriocin clusters, and discovered unique bacteriocin gene clusters encoding novel peptides. This dual approach provided insights into the bacteriocinogenic potential and antimicrobial molecules of the deep-sea isolates.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Friederike Uhlig, Alicja K. Warda, Cara M. Hueston, Lorraine A. Draper, Gilles Chauviere, Erik Eckhardt, Colin Hill, Niall P. Hyland
Summary: Lactobacillus LB, generated through fermentation, has beneficial effects on intestinal ion transport and motility, alleviating acute diarrhea and irritable bowel syndrome symptoms. Low-lactose Lactobacillus LB (LL-LB) increases baseline short-circuit current and is partially mediated by sodium-D-glucose transporter 1. Preparations produced from a single strain fermentate of L. fermentum have a stronger effect on baseline short-circuit current and carbachol-induced contractions compared to LL-LB.
JOURNAL OF FUNCTIONAL FOODS
(2023)
Review
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Lauren Walsh, Colin Hill, R. Paul Ross
Summary: This review focuses on the potential effect of glyphosate exposure on the composition and functionality of the gut microbiome, highlighting the significance of gut microbiota to health.
Review
Microbiology
Des Field, Miguel Fernandez de Ullivarri, R. Paul Ross, Colin Hill
Summary: Nisin, a highly post-translationally modified peptide, has been extensively studied over the past 100 years. While it has been used successfully as a food preservative, its potent activity against multidrug resistant microbes and potential for therapeutic use in treating bacterial infections has shifted the focus of research towards its biomedical applications. Recent developments have shed light on the biosynthesis, cellular location, and genetic regulation of nisin, and there is growing interest in its potential role in influencing the microbiome and in bioengineering novel variants for biomedical applications.
FEMS MICROBIOLOGY REVIEWS
(2023)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Xinqi Chen, Yang Chen, Catherine Stanton, Reynolds Paul Ross, Jianxin Zhao, Wei Chen, Bo Yang
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the dose-response effect of Bifidobacterium breve CCFM683 on relieving psoriasis and its underlying patterns. Specifically, the expression of keratin 16, keratin 17, and involucrin were substantially decreased by specific doses of the probiotic. Moreover, the gut microbiota in mice treated with the probiotic was rebalanced and the concentrations of colonic bile acids were positively correlated with the effectiveness of the strain in relieving psoriasis.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Kexue Chen, Xingya Zhou, Jianxin Zhao, R. Paul Ross, Catherine Stanton, Wei Chen, Bo Yang
Summary: This study explores the genetic diversity and functional gene features of L. johnsonii through comparative genomic analysis. The results show that L. johnsonii can be classified into two phylogenetic clusters, with differences in carbohydrate utilization genes, bacteriocin operon, extracellular polysaccharide gene cluster, and bile salt hydrolase encoding genes between the clusters.
