Brevicillin, a novel lanthipeptide from the genus Brevibacillus with antimicrobial, antifungal, and antiviral activity

Abstract

Aim: This study was aimed to determine antimicrobial and antiviral activity of a novel lanthipeptide from a Brevibacillus sp. for disinfectant application.

Methods and results: The antimicrobial peptide (AMP) was produced by a bacterial strain AF8 identified as a member of the genus Brevibacillus representing a novel species. Whole genome sequence analysis using BAGEL identified a putative complete biosynthetic gene cluster involved in lanthipeptide synthesis. The deduced amino acid sequence of lanthipeptide named as brevicillin, showed >30% similarity with epidermin. Mass determined by MALDI-MS and Q-TOF suggested posttranslational modifications like dehydration of all Ser and Thr amino acids to yield Dha and Dhb, respectively. Amino acid composition determined upon acid hydrolysis is in agreement with core peptide sequence deduced from the putative biosynthetic gene bvrAF8. Biochemical evidence along with stability features ascertained posttranslational modifications during formation of the core peptide. The peptide showed strong activity with 99% killing of pathogens at 12 μg ml-1 within 1 minute. Interestingly, it also showed potent anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity by inhibiting ∼99% virus growth at 10 μg ml-1 in cell culture-based assay. Brevicillin did not show dermal allergic reactions in BALB/c mice.

Conclusion: This study provides detailed description of a novel lanthipeptide and demonstrates its effective antibacterial, antifungal and anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity.

Keywords: brevibacillus; SARS-CoV-2; antimicrobial; brevicillin; disinfectant; emulgel; genome; lanthipeptide.