Colicins and Microcins: The Next Generation Antimicrobials

Gillor, Osnat; Kirkup, Benjamin C.; Riley, Margaret A.

doi:10.1016/s0065-2164(04)54005-4

Cited by 129 publications

(101 citation statements)

References 85 publications

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“…1A). This result suggested that CFT073 could prevent MG1655 FЈ biofilm formation, either by direct contact or secretion of an inhibitory molecule (14,15). To distinguish between these two possibilities, we conducted in vitro adhesion assays in poly(vinyl chloride) microtiter plates and microfermentors, containing filtersterilized CFT073 supernatant of a stationary phase culture.…”

Section: Cft073mentioning

confidence: 99%

Broad-spectrum biofilm inhibition by a secreted bacterial polysaccharide

Valle

Henry

et al. 2006

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

229

208

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The development of surface-attached biofilm bacterial communities is considered an important source of nosocomial infections. Recently, bacterial interference via signaling molecules and surface active compounds was shown to antagonize biofilm formation, suggesting that nonantibiotic molecules produced during competitive interactions between bacteria could be used for biofilm reduction. Hence, a better understanding of commensal͞pathogen interactions within bacterial community could lead to an improved control of exogenous pathogens. To reveal adhesion or growthrelated bacterial interference, we investigated interactions between uropathogenic and commensal Escherichia coli in mixed in vitro biofilms. We demonstrate here that the uropathogenic strain CFT073 and all E. coli expressing group II capsules release into their environment a soluble polysaccharide that induces physicochemical surface alterations, which prevent biofilm formation by a wide range of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. We show that the treatment of abiotic surfaces with group II capsular polysaccharides drastically reduces both initial adhesion and biofilm development by important nosocomial pathogens. These findings identify capsular polymers as antiadhesion bacterial interference molecules, which may prove to be of significance in the design of new strategies to limit biofilm formation on medical in dwelling devices.bacterial interference ͉ Escherichia coli ͉ group II capsule ͉ extraintestinal

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Section: Cft073mentioning

confidence: 99%

Broad-spectrum biofilm inhibition by a secreted bacterial polysaccharide

Valle

Henry

et al. 2006

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

229

208

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“…Evidence suggests that bacteriocins are important mediators of intraand interspecific interactions and thus play a significant role in maintaining microbial biodiversity (Czaran et al, 2002;. Understanding the evolution and ecology of bacteriocins has become particularly important due to their potential as a replacement for traditional antibiotics in the treatment of bacterial infections and because they are considered to be a key trait of probiotic bacteria (Gillor et al, 2004(Gillor et al, , 2008a. Escherichia coli is known to produce two classes of bacteriocins: microcins and colicins.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evolution of colicin BM plasmids: the loss of the colicin B activity gene

Christenson

Gordon

2009

Microbiology

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Colicins, a class of antimicrobial compounds produced by bacteria, are thought to be important mediators of intra-and interspecific interactions, and are a significant factor in maintaining microbial diversity. Colicins B and M are among the most common colicins produced by Escherichia coli, and are usually encoded adjacently on the same plasmid. In this study, the characterization of a collection of E. coli isolated from Australian vertebrates revealed that a significant fraction of colicin BM strains lack an intact colicin B activity gene. The colicin B and M gene region was sequenced in 60 strains and it was found (with one exception) that all plasmids lacking an intact colicin B activity gene have an identical colicin gene structure, possessing a complete colicin B immunity gene and a 130 bp remnant of the B activity gene. A phylogenetic analysis of the colicin M and B operons and characterization of the plasmids suggested that ColBM plasmids with a truncated B activity gene have evolved on at least three separate occasions. Colicin B immunity was found to be non-functional in strains that have lost colicin B activity, and colicin M was still produced despite the absence of the SOS box believed to regulate its production in colicin BM strains. The presence of a remnant of the microcin V operon next to the truncated colicin B activity gene indicated that these plasmids evolved as a consequence of gene transfer between colicin BM and microcin V plasmids. We suggest that these transfer events most likely involved the transfer of some microcin V genes and associated virulence factors onto ColBM plasmids.

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“…Similarly, a veritable plethora of modified and unmodified peptide bacteriocins (M r ,10 000) from Gram-positive bacteria have also been described, particularly those elaborated by the lactic acid bacteria (Bonelli et al, 2006;Nes et al, 2006;Heng et al, 2007). In recent years considerable research interest has focussed on the low molecular mass polypeptides from both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, in part because of their potential in pharmaceutical and nutraceutical applications (Cleveland et al, 2001;Ross et al, 2002;Gillor et al, 2004;Kirkup, 2006).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%