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Fusaricidins, Polymyxins and Volatiles Produced by Paenibacillus polymyxa Strains DSM 32871 and M1
Pascal Mülner1,2, Elisa Schwarz1, Kristin Dietel1
1ABITEP GmbH, Glienicker Weg 185, 12489 Berlin, Germany.
Abstract:
Paenibacilli are efficient producers of potent agents against bacterial and fungal pathogens, which are of great interest both for therapeutic applications in medicine as well as in agrobiotechnology. Lipopeptides produced by such organisms play a major role in their potential to inactivate pathogens. In this work we investigated two lipopeptide complexes, the fusaricidins and the polymyxins, produced by Paenibacillus polymyxa strains DSM 32871 and M1 by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. The fusaricidins show potent antifungal activities and are distinguished by an unusual variability. For strain DSM 32871 we identified numerous yet unknown variants mass spectrometrically. DSM 32871 produces polymyxins of type E (colistins), while M1 forms polymyxins P. For both strains, novel but not yet completely characterized polymyxin species were detected, which possibly are glycosylated. These compounds may be of interest therapeutically, because polymyxins have gained increasing attention as last-resort antibiotics against multiresistant pathogenic Gram-negative bacteria. In addition, the volatilomes of DSM 32781 and M1 were investigated with a GC-MS approach using different cultivation media. Production of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) was strain and medium dependent. In particular, strain M1 manifested as an efficient VOC-producer that exhibited formation of 25 volatiles in total. A characteristic feature of Paenibacilli is the formation of volatile pyrazine derivatives.
Insights
Paenibacilli bacteria produce potent lipopeptides, including fusaricidins with antifungal activity and polymyxins (colistins and polymyxin P) with potential against resistant bacteria. Their volatile organic compound production is also strain and medium dependent.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Biotechnology
- Chemical Biology
Background:
- Paenibacilli are known producers of bioactive compounds with antimicrobial properties.
- Lipopeptides are key agents for pathogen inactivation by Paenibacilli.
- Fusaricidins and polymyxins are significant lipopeptide classes produced by Paenibacilli.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate and characterize lipopeptide complexes (fusaricidins and polymyxins) from Paenibacillus polymyxa strains.
- To identify novel variants of fusaricidins and polymyxins.
- To analyze the volatile organic compound (VOC) profiles of Paenibacilli strains.
Main Methods:
- MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry was used to analyze lipopeptide complexes.
- Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was employed to investigate volatilomes.
- Different cultivation media were used to study strain and medium dependency of VOC production.
Main Results:
- Numerous unknown fusicidins were identified in Paenibacillus polymyxa strain DSM 32871.
- Strain DSM 32871 produces polymyxins type E (colistins), while strain M1 produces polymyxins type P.
- Novel, possibly glycosylated, polymyxin species were detected in both strains. Strain M1 showed significant VOC production, including pyrazine derivatives.
Conclusions:
- Paenibacilli produce diverse lipopeptides with potential therapeutic and biotechnological applications.
- The identified novel polymyxins may offer new avenues for combating multidrug-resistant bacteria.
- Volatile organic compound production by Paenibacilli is strain and medium-specific, highlighting their metabolic versatility.
