Abstract
Staphylococcin T (StT), an antibacterial agent produced by a Staphylococcus cohnii T strain, was purified to homogeneity by ammonium sulphate precipitation, gel filtration, cation exchange and fast performance liquid chromatography (FPLC). The final yield was about 20%, and over a 1000-fold increase in the specific activity was obtained. Mass determination (2166 Da), amino acid sequencing (Ile-Ala-Xaa-Lys-Phe-Leu-Xaa-Xaa-Pro-Gly-Xaa-Ala-Lys-block) and DNA sequencing demonstrated that StT is identical to gallidermin, a lanthionine-containing antimicrobial peptide. StT has a broad spectrum of bactericidal activity against Gram-positive and some Gram-negative bacteria. StT appears to damage cell membrane, and as a result causes an efflux of ions and an immediate block in macromolecular synthesis. Moreover, electron microscopic observations reveal morphological changes, with a loss of ribosomes and condensation of the nucleoid DNA. These changes are followed by a dissolution of the cell contents resulting in a bacterial ghost composed of seemingly intact cell walls with remnants of the cytoplasmic membrane and internal structure. Since StT exhibits antimicrobial activity especially against the Staphylococcus species, this compound may be of use in the treatment of staphylococcal infections.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.