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Updated: Jul 5, 2025

Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction-based Analyses of Murine Intestinal Microbiota After Oral Antibiotic Treatment
Published on: November 17, 2018
Exposure and resistance to lantibiotics impact microbiota composition and function
Zhenrun J Zhang1, Cody Cole1, Huaiying Lin2
1Duchossois Family Institute, University of Chicago, 900 E. 57th St, Chicago, IL 60637, USA; Department of Microbiology, Biological Sciences Division, University of Chicago, 5841 South Maryland Ave, Chicago, IL 60637, USA.
The study found that Lantibiotic Resistance System (LRS) genes are common in the human gut microbiome and help bacteria survive exposure to Nisin A, a food preservative. These genes impact bacterial fitness and host immune responses.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Immunology
- Genomics
Background:
- The human gut microbiome comprises diverse microbes interacting with the host.
- Antibiotic use alters gut microbiota and promotes antibiotic resistance.
- Lantibiotics, like Nisin A, are antimicrobials produced by bacteria.
Conclusions:
- LRS genes are an underappreciated component of the human gut microbiome.
- These genes confer a fitness advantage in the presence of lantibiotics.
- LRS genes are ancient and integrated into bacterial genomes.
- Understanding LRS is crucial for developing microbiome-modulating strategies.
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