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Bioengineering Lantibiotics for Therapeutic Success
Des Field1, Paul D Cotter2, Colin Hill3
1School of Microbiology, University College Cork , Cork, Ireland.
Frontiers in Microbiology
|December 8, 2015
Summary
Researchers are engineering ribosomally synthesized lantibiotics, a class of modified antimicrobial peptides, to enhance their therapeutic properties. These modifications improve antimicrobial activity, stability, and resistance, paving the way for new treatments.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Microbiology
- Peptide Engineering
Background:
- Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are crucial in innate immunity.
- Highly modified AMPs, including ribosomally synthesized lantibiotics, show significant therapeutic potential.
- Lantibiotics are a growing focus due to their unique structures and activities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review engineering strategies for modifying lantibiotics.
- To explore enhancements in antimicrobial activity, spectrum, and physico-chemical properties.
- To discuss the therapeutic applications of engineered lantibiotics.
Main Methods:
- In vivo and in vitro engineering systems are employed.
- Strategies focus on altering antimicrobial activity and spectrum.
- Modifications aim to improve heat stability, solubility, diffusion, and protease resistance.
Main Results:
- Engineering systems allow for significant alteration of lantibiotic properties.
- Enhanced antimicrobial efficacy and broader antibacterial spectrum are achievable.
- Improved stability and resistance characteristics are demonstrated.
Conclusions:
- Engineered lantibiotics offer promising therapeutic avenues.
- Modification of lantibiotics can overcome limitations of natural variants.
- Further development holds potential for novel antimicrobial drugs.
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