Isolation and Characterization of a Broad Spectrum Bacteriocin from Bacillus amyloliquefaciens RX7

Biomed Res Int. 2016:2016:8521476. doi: 10.1155/2016/8521476. Epub 2016 Apr 28.

Abstract

We isolated a Bacillus strain, RX7, with inhibitory activity against Listeria monocytogenes from soil and identified it as Bacillus amyloliquefaciens based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The inhibitory activity was stable over a wide range of pH and was fully retained after 30 min at 80°C, after which it decreased gradually at higher temperatures. The activity was sensitive to the proteolytic action of α-chymotrypsin, proteinase-K, and trypsin, indicating its proteinaceous nature. This bacteriocin was active against a broad spectrum of bacteria and the fungus Candida albicans. Direct detection of antimicrobial activity on a sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel suggested an apparent molecular mass of approximately 5 kDa. Ammonium sulfate precipitation and anion-exchange and gel permeation chromatography integrated with reverse phase-high-performance liquid chromatography were used for bacteriocin purification. Automated N-terminal Edman degradation of the purified RX7 bacteriocin recognized the first 15 amino acids as NH2-X-Ala-Trp-Tyr-Asp-Ile-Arg-Lys-Leu-Gly-Asn-Lys-Gly-Ala, where the letter X in the sequence indicates an unknown or nonstandard amino acid. Based on BLAST similarity search and multiple alignment analysis, the obtained partial sequence showed high homology with the two-peptide lantibiotic haloduracin (HalA1) from Bacillus halodurans, although at least two amino acids differed between the sequences. A time-kill study demonstrated a bactericidal mode of action of RX7 bacteriocin.

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Infective Agents / isolation & purification*
  • Anti-Infective Agents / pharmacology*
  • Bacillus amyloliquefaciens / chemistry*
  • Bacillus amyloliquefaciens / genetics
  • Bacteriocins / isolation & purification*
  • Bacteriocins / pharmacology*
  • Candida albicans / drug effects
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Listeria monocytogenes / drug effects
  • Molecular Weight
  • Proteolysis / drug effects
  • RNA, Ribosomal, 16S / genetics
  • Soil Microbiology
  • Temperature

Substances

  • Anti-Infective Agents
  • Bacteriocins
  • RNA, Ribosomal, 16S