Microbisporicin (NAI-107) protects Galleria mellonella from infection with Neisseria gonorrhoeae

Microbiol Spectr. 2023 Dec 12;11(6):e0282523. doi: 10.1128/spectrum.02825-23. Epub 2023 Oct 12.

Abstract

We screened 66 bacteriocins to see if they exhibited anti-gonococcal activity. We found 12 bacteriocins with anti-gonococcal effects, and 4 bacteriocins showed higher anti-gonococcal activity. Three bacteriocins, lacticin Z, lacticin Q, and Garvicin KS (ABC), showed in vitro anti-gonococcal activity but no in vivo inhibitory effects against the Neisseria gonorrhoeae (WHO-P) isolate. On the other hand, NAI-107 showed in vivo anti-gonococcal activity. The findings suggest that NAI-107 is a promising alternative to treat gonorrhea infections.

Keywords: Galleria mellonella; NAI-107; Neisseria gonorrhoeae; lantibiotics; microbisporicin.

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology
  • Bacteriocins* / pharmacology
  • Gonorrhea* / drug therapy
  • Humans
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Neisseria gonorrhoeae

Substances

  • microbisporicin
  • Bacteriocins
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents