A new anti-MRSA antibiotic complex, WAP-8294A. I. Taxonomy, isolation and biological activities

WAP-8294A, produced by Lysobacter sp., is a complex consisting of water soluble depsipeptide antibiotics. It was further purified by column chromatographies and HPLC, and 19 components were obtained. WAP-8294A2, a major component, and minor components A1, A4, Ax8, Ax9 and Ax13 were active against gram-positive bacteria, in particular, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in vitro. WAP-8294A2 was highly active in vivo in mice against the systemic infection of MRSA.