Enhanced synthesis and antimicrobial activities of bacteriocins produced by Mexican strains of Bacillus thuringiensis

Arch Microbiol. 2008 Dec;190(6):633-40. doi: 10.1007/s00203-008-0414-2. Epub 2008 Jul 25.

Abstract

Recently, we reported the synthesis of five bacteriocin-like inhibitor substances (Bt-BLIS: morricin 269, kurstacin 287, kenyacin 404, entomocin 420, and tolworthcin 524) by Mexican strains of Bacillus thuringiensis. Here we show that, collectively, these Bt-BLIS have a moderate to broad spectrum of antibacterial activity, being toxic to clinically significant against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, including common etiological agents of human diseases, such as strep throat and scarlet fever, septicemia, pneumonia, urinary tract infection, and emetic and gastrointestinal syndromes. Although synthesis of the five Bt-BLIS was independent of the presence of a target inducing bacterium, we demonstrated for the first time that a proteinaceous component(s) secreted by, or liberated by proteolytic cleavage of Bacillus cereus 183 following treatment with proteinase K, enhanced Bt-BLIS synthesis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / biosynthesis*
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology*
  • Bacillus cereus / drug effects
  • Bacillus thuringiensis / classification
  • Bacillus thuringiensis / metabolism*
  • Bacteriocins / biosynthesis*
  • Bacteriocins / pharmacology*
  • Food Microbiology
  • Fungi / drug effects
  • Gram-Negative Bacteria / drug effects
  • Gram-Positive Bacteria / drug effects
  • Mexico
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Bacteriocins