[Protective function of the peptide antibiotics of bacilli]

The modern status of the biological role of peptide antibiotics in vital activity of bacilli is discussed. The published data and the original findings of the author and his coworkers are analyzed from the viewpoint of two hypothesis: regulator and protective. It is shown that at present there is no solid basis for considering antibiotics as positive regulators of sporulation in organisms producing them. Synthesis of antibiotics is thought to be a manifestation of a certain stage in ontogenetic development of bacilli and is associated with production of extracellular enzymes. The enzymes are conjectured to perform in nature hydrolysis of exogenic substrates and thus create nutrient medium for vegetative cell division of antibiotic-producing organisms. The author suggests that the main biological function of peptide antibiotics produced by bacilli is protection of their environment from other microorganisms.