Lantibiotics

The name lantibiotics was introduced in 1988 as an abbreviation for "lanthionine-containing peptide antibiotics". The first structures of these antimicrobial agents were produced by pioneering work by Gross and Morell in the late 1960s and early 1970s, thus marking the formal introduction of lantibiotics. Since then, lantibiotics such as nisin have been used auspiciously for food preservation and have yet to encounter significant bacterial resistance. These attributes of lantibiotics have led to more detailed research into their structures and biosynthetic pathways. == Classification ==

• Type A lantibiotics are long flexible molecules - e.g., nisin, bisin, subtilin, epidermin, gallidermin Subgroup AI includes mutacin II; subgroup AII includes mutacin I and III. • Type B lantibiotics are globular - e.g., mersacidin. actagardine, duramycin, and cinnamycin. Some contain 2 peptides, e.g. haloduracin. Examples (Sublancin may be an S-linked glycopeptide). == Biosynthesis ==

They are synthesised with a leader polypeptide sequence that is removed only during the transport of the molecule out of the synthesising cell. They are synthesized by ribosomes, which distinguishes them from most natural antibiotics. There are four known enzymes (lanthipeptide synthetases) responsible for producing lanthionine rings. == Mechanism of action ==

Lantibiotics show substantial specificity for some components (e.g., lipid II) of bacterial cell membranes especially of Gram-positive bacteria. Type A lantibiotics kill rapidly by pore formation, type B lantibiotics inhibit peptidoglycan biosynthesis. They are active in very low concentrations. == Application ==

Food preservation Lantibiotics are produced by Gram-positive bacteria and show strong antimicrobial action toward a wide range of other Gram-positive bacteria. Clinical antibiotic One type known as B lantibiotic NVB302 entered phase 1 clinical trials in 2011 for use against Clostridioides difficile, and reported good results in 2012. == Databases ==

BACTIBASE is an open-access database for bacteriocins including lantibiotics. LANTIBASE is a lantibiotic specific resource. ==References==