Identification, Characterization, and Three-Dimensional Structure of the Novel Circular Bacteriocin, Enterocin NKR-5-3B, from Enterococcus faecium

Biochemistry. 2015 Aug 11;54(31):4863-76. doi: 10.1021/acs.biochem.5b00196. Epub 2015 Jul 31.

Abstract

Enterocin NKR-5-3B, one of the multiple bacteriocins produced by Enterococcus faecium NKR-5-3, is a 64-amino acid novel circular bacteriocin that displays broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity. Here we report the identification, characterization, and three-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance solution structure determination of enterocin NKR-5-3B. Enterocin NKR-5-3B is characterized by four helical segments that enclose a compact hydrophobic core, which together with its circular backbone impart high stability and structural integrity. We also report the corresponding structural gene, enkB, that encodes an 87-amino acid precursor peptide that undergoes a yet to be described enzymatic processing that involves adjacent cleavage and ligation of Leu(24) and Trp(87) to yield the mature (circular) enterocin NKR-5-3B.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Bacteriocins / biosynthesis
  • Bacteriocins / chemistry*
  • Bacteriocins / genetics
  • Enterococcus faecium / chemistry*
  • Enterococcus faecium / genetics
  • Enterococcus faecium / metabolism
  • Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, Biomolecular
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary

Substances

  • Bacteriocins