Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 27, 2025
Synthesis of Masarimycin, a Small Molecule Inhibitor of Gram-Positive Bacterial Growth
Published on: January 7, 2022
Gramicidin A is hydrolyzed by a d-stereospecific peptidase produced by Bacillus anthracis
Wendy E Kaman1, Kamran Nazmi1, A Ingrid Voskamp-Visser2
1Department of Oral Biochemistry, Academic Centre for Dentistry Amsterdam, University of Amsterdam and VU University Amsterdam, Gustav Mahlerlaan 3004, Amsterdam, 1081 LA, The Netherlands.
Abstract:
Previously we described the discovery of a Bacillus spp. specific peptidase activity related to d-stereospecific peptidases (DSPs). The peptidase showed a strong preference for d-leucine and d-valine amino acids. These amino acids are present in the structure of the non-ribosomal peptide (NRP) antibiotics gramicidin A, B and C and polymyxin E. To examine if the Bacillus spp. DSP-related peptidase can hydrolyze these NRPs, the effect of gramicidin A and C and polymyxin E on peptidase activity in Bacillus anthracis culture supernatant was monitored. It was found that both gramicidins inhibited the DSP-related activity in a competitive manner. MALDI-TOF analysis revealed that upon incubation with B. anthracis culture supernatant gramicidin A hydrolyzation products appeared. This study shows that the Bacillus spp. specific DSP-like peptidase was potentially produced by the bacteria to gain intrinsic resistance against NRP antibiotics. These results are of utmost importance in research towards antimicrobial resistance, whereas transfer of DSP-related activity to other clinically relevant pathogens can be a serious threat to human health.
More Related Videos
05:20A Colorimetric Assay that Specifically Measures Granzyme B Proteolytic Activity: Hydrolysis of Boc-Ala-Ala-Asp-S-Bzl
Published on: November 28, 2014
08:37The Application of Open Searching-based Approaches for the Identification of Acinetobacter baumannii O-linked Glycopeptides
Published on: November 2, 2021
Related Concept Videos
01:28Peptidoglycan Synthesis
01:22Lysosomal Hydrolases
01:15Hydrolysis
Hydrolysis is a chemical reaction in which the addition of water breaks down a polymer into its simpler monomer units. For example, peptides break into amino acids, carbohydrates into simple sugars, and DNA into nucleotides. Enzymes often facilitate these processes.
Hydrolysis Reverses Dehydration Synthesis
Complex carbohydrates can be broken down by breaking the bonds between individual sugar units. The reaction breaks a glycosidic bond as water is added to the compound. The...