• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• 제37권4호
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• pp.389-395
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• 2021

Soil is the major source of plant-associated microbes. Several fungal and bacterial species live within plant tissues. Actinomycetes are well known for producing a variety of antibiotics, and they contribute to improving plant health. In our previous report, Streptomyces globisporus SP6C4 colonized plant tissues and was able to move to other tissues from the initially colonized ones. This strain has excellent antifungal and antibacterial activities and provides a suppressive effect upon various plant diseases. Here, we report the genome-wide analysis of antibiotic producing genes in S. globisporus SP6C4. A total of 15 secondary metabolite biosynthetic gene clusters were predicted using antiSMASH. We used the CRISPR/Cas9 mutagenesis system, and each biosynthetic gene was predicted via protein basic local alignment search tool (BLAST) and rapid annotation using subsystems technology (RAST) server. Three gene clusters were shown to exhibit antifungal or antibacterial activity, viz. cluster 16 (lasso peptide), cluster 17 (thiopeptide-lantipeptide), and cluster 20 (lantipeptide). The results of the current study showed that SP6C4 has a variety of antimicrobial activities, and this strain is beneficial in agriculture.

• 한국수산과학회지
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• 제49권2호
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• pp.137-145
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• 2016

This study screened the biological activity of an acidified gill extract of the Manila clam Ruditapes philippinarum including antimicrobial, hemolytic, membrane permeabilization, and DNA-binding activity, and purified the antimicrobial material. The acidified gill extract showed potent antimicrobial activity against Bacillus subtilis and Escherichia coli without significant hemolytic activity, but showed no membrane permeabilization or DNA-binding ability. An antimicrobial material was purified from the acidified gill extract using C₁₈ reversed-phase and cation-exchange high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Treatment of the purified material with trypsin completely abolished all of the antibacterial activity against Bacillus subtilis, suggesting that the purified material is a proteinaceous antibiotic. The molecular weight of the purified material was 2571.9 Da, but no primary structural information was obtained due to N-terminal blocking. A future study should confirm the primary structure. Our results suggest that the Manila clam gill contains proteinaceous antibiotics that have a role in first-line defense. This information could be used to better understand the Manila clam innate immune system.

• 한국동물위생학회지
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• 제37권2호
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• pp.123-129
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• 2014

This research was performed in order to investigate the origin, standard compound, and structural and physical properties of honeybee venom which used as natural antibiotic ingredients to animal. We compared the nucleotide sequence of mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 gene (COI) of honeybees were collected from Gangwon, Gyeonggi, Chungnam, Gyeongbuk, Gyeongnam province and Suwon. As major constituent of honeybee venom, melittin was assayed by liquid chromatography. X-ray, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) were utilized to examine the structural and physical properties of honeybee venom. Based on the 627bp sequence of COI, Apis mellifera ligustica was determinated honeybees collected from all six regions. Melittin content varied from 50.7 to 68.6 and averaged 59.8%. According to XRD analysis, honeybee venom showed regular crystal structure peaks at $2{\Theta}=8.5^{\circ}$ and $21.5^{\circ}$. DSC showed that the maximum degration temperature of powder was around $230^{\circ}C$. Through FT-IR analysis, we could identify cross-linking by the presence of peptide peak at 1,500~1,600 $cm^{-1}$. In conclusion, the origin of honeybee venom was Apis mellifera ligustica and effective ingredient standards was melittin content varied from 50.7 to 68.6 as natural antibiotic ingredients.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제21권2호
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• pp.229-236
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• 2006

Gaegurin 4 (GGN4), a novel peptide isolated from the skin of a Korean frog, Rana rugosa, has broad spectrum antimicrobial activity. A number of amphipathic peptides closely related to GGN4 undergo a coil to helix transition with concomitant oligomerization in lipid membranes or membrane-mimicking environments. Despite intensive study of their secondary structures, the oligomeric states of the peptides before and after the transition are not well understood. To clarify the structural basis of its antibiotic action, we used analytical ultracentrifugation to define the aggregation state of GGN4 in water, ethyl alcohol, and 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoro-2-propanol (HFIP). The maximum size of GGN4 in 15% HFIP corresponded to a decamer, whereas it was monomeric in buffer. The oligomeric transition is accompanied by a cooperative 9 nm blue-shift of maximum fluorescence emission and a large secondary structure change from an almost random coil to an ${\alpha}$-helical structure. GGN4 induces pores in lipid membranes and, using electrophysiological methods, we estimated the diameter of the pores to be exceed $7.3{\AA}$, which suggests that the minimal oligomer structure responsible is a pentamer.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제31권1호
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• pp.25-32
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• 2021

Inflammatory reactions activated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) of gram-negative bacteria can lead to severe septic shock. With the recent emergence of multidrug-resistant gram-negative bacteria and a lack of efficient ways to treat resulting infections, there is a need to develop novel anti-endotoxin agents. Antimicrobial peptides have been noticed as potential therapeutic molecules for bacterial infection and as candidates for new antibiotic drugs. We previously designed the 9-meric antimicrobial peptide Pro9-3 and it showed high antimicrobial activity against gram-negative bacteria. Here, to further examine its potency as an anti-endotoxin agent, we examined the anti-endotoxin activities of Pro9-3 and elucidated its mechanism of action. We performed a dye-leakage experiment and BODIPY-TR cadaverine and limulus amebocyte lysate assays for Pro9-3 as well as its lysine-substituted analogue and their enantiomers. The results confirmed that Pro9-3 targets the bacterial membrane and the arginine residues play key roles in its antimicrobial activity. Pro9-3 showed excellent LPS-neutralizing activity and LPS-binding properties, which were superior to those of other peptides. Saturation transfer difference-nuclear magnetic resonance experiments to explore the interaction between LPS and Pro9-3 revealed that Trp3 and Tlr7 in Pro9-3 are critical for attracting Pro9-3 to the LPS in the gram-negative bacterial membrane. Moreover, the anti-septic effect of Pro9-3 in vivo was investigated using an LPS-induced endotoxemia mouse model, demonstrating its dual activities: antibacterial activity against gram-negative bacteria and immunosuppressive effect preventing LPS-induced endotoxemia. Collectively, these results confirmed the therapeutic potential of Pro9-3 against infection of gram-negative bacteria.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• 제20권3호
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• pp.25.1-25.13
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• 2020

Acinetobacter baumannii is known for its multidrug antibiotic resistance. New approaches to treating drug-resistant bacterial infections are urgently required. Cathelicidin-related antimicrobial peptide (CRAMP) is a murine antimicrobial peptide that exerts diverse immune functions, including both direct bacterial cell killing and immunomodulatory effects. In this study, we sought to identify the role of CRAMP in the host immune response to multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii. Wild-type (WT) and CRAMP knockout mice were infected intranasally with the bacteria. CRAMP^-/- mice exhibited increased bacterial colony-forming units (CFUs) in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid after A. baumannii infection compared to WT mice. The loss of CRAMP expression resulted in a significant decrease in the recruitment of immune cells, primarily neutrophils. The levels of IL-6 and CXCL1 were lower, whereas the levels of IL-10 were significantly higher in the BAL fluid of CRAMP^-/- mice compared to WT mice 1 day after infection. In an in vitro assay using thioglycollate-induced peritoneal neutrophils, the ability of bacterial phagocytosis and killing was impaired in CRAMP^-/- neutrophils compared to the WT cells. CRAMP was also essential for the production of cytokines and chemokines in response to A. baumannii in neutrophils. In addition, the A. baumannii-induced inhibitor of κB-α degradation and phosphorylation of p38 MAPK were impaired in CRAMP^-/- neutrophils, whereas ERK and JNK phosphorylation was upregulated. Our results indicate that CRAMP plays an important role in the host defense against pulmonary infection with A. baumannii by promoting the antibacterial activity of neutrophils and regulating the innate immune responses.

• 미생물학회지
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• 제47권3호
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• pp.200-208
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• 2011

임상에서 가장 문제가 되는 MLS (macrolide-lincosamidestreptogramin B) 항생제 내성은 Erm 단백질에 의하여 23S rRNA의 A2058에 dimethylation시킴으로써 MLS 항생제의 부착능을 저해함으로써 나타내는 내성이다. ErmSF는 다른 Erm 단백질과 달리 매우 긴 N-terminal end region (NTER)을 가지고 있으며 RNA에 잘 부착되는 것으로 알려진 arginine이 25%를 차지하고 있다. 특히 NTER의 점차적인 제거는 이에 따른 점차적인 활성의 감소 그리고 이의 완전한 제거는 98%의 활성소실을 가져다 주는 것으로 밝혀져서 단순 부착에 의한 활성에의 기여를 암시하고 있다. 뿐만 아니라 NTER 다음에 붙어 있는 아미노산은 제거되었을 때 활성이 소실되는 매우 중요한 아미노산임이 밝혀졌다. 이러한 사실에 근거, 서로 다른 복제원점을 가짐으로써 동일한 세포 내에 존재할 수 있으며 발현 체계가 동일하나 copy수가 차이가 있어서 단백질 발현 양에 차이를 가져다 주는 새로운 단백질 동시 발현체계를 개발하고 이를 적용하여 NTER 함유 펩타이드를 copy수가 많은 pET23b 체계의 담체에서, ErmSF는 copy수가 적은 pACYC184 담체 체계에서 발현 시킴으로써 펩타이드가 한 세포 내에서 ErmSF 보다 훨씬 더 많이 발현되도록 하여 이 펩타이드가 ErmSF의 활성을 저해할 수 있는지 확인하였다. 계획된 대로 IPTG에 의한 유도 없이도 펩타이드가 ErmSF보다 세포 내에서 훨씬 많이 발현되었다. 그러나 생체 내에서는 그 활성의 저해를 확인 할 수 없었다. 따라서 ErmSF의 활성은 NTER 펩타이드의 단순한 부착에 의해서 이루어지는 것이 아니라 conformational change 등의 역동적인 상호작용을 통하여 이루어지는 것으로 사료되었다. 따라서 ErmSF와 23S rRNA와의 복합체 구조의 규명 그리고 NTER과 ErmSF protein body의 부착양식에 대한 구체적인 생화학적 규명이 이루어지면 이러한 접근법은 이 단백질의 억제제를 창출하는데 기여를 할 수 있을 것으로 사료된다.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제17권7호
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• pp.1217-1220
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• 2007

The saprophytic fungus Ulocladium atrum Preuss is a promising biological control agent for Botrytis cinerea in greenhouse- and field-grown crops. However, despite its known potent antifungal activity, no antifungal substance has yet been reported. In an effort to characterize the antifungal substance from U. atrum, we isolated an antibiotic peptide. Based on extensive spectroscopic analyses, its structure was established as a cyclopeptolide with a high portion of N-methylated amino acids, and its $^1H$ and $^{13}C$ chemical shifts were completely assigned based on extensive 1D and 2D NMR experiments. Compound 1 exhibited potent antifungal activity against the plant pathogenic fungus Botrytis cinerea and moderate activity against Alternaria alternate and Magnaporthe grisea.

• BMB Reports
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• 제31권5호
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• pp.475-483
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• 1998

Many antibiotics contain partially deoxygenated sugar components that are usually essential for biological activity, affinity, structural stability, and solubility of antibiotics. Gene probes of the biosynthetic genes related with the deoxysugar were obtained from PCR. Primers were designed from the conserved peptide sequences of the known dTDP-D-glucose 4,6-dehydratases, which are the key step enzymes in the biosynthesis of deoxysugar. The primers were applied to amplify parts of dehydratase genes to 27 actinomycetes that produce the metabolites containing deoxysugar as structural constituents. About 180 and 340 bp DNA fragments from all of the actinomycetes were produced by PCR and analyzed by Southern blot and DNA sequencing. The PCR products were used as gene probes to clone the biosynthetic gene clusters for the antibiotic mithramycin, rubradirin, spectinomycin, and elaiophyrin. This method should allow for detecting of the biosynthetic gene clusters of a vast array of secondary metabolites isolated from actinomycetes because of the widespread existence of deoxysugar constituents in secondary metabolites.

• KSBB Journal
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• 제27권1호
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• pp.9-15
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• 2012

Antimicrobial peptides are widely used in various organisms as a defense system against infection. The peptides are lethal towards bacteria and fungi, however have minimal toxicity in mammalian and plant cells. In this aspect, it is considered that antimicrobial peptides are new alternative materials for defensing against microbial infection. Here, we describe overall characteristics of antimicrobial peptides based on the mechanism of action, classification of the peptides, report detection/screening methods and chemical/biological production. It is expected that understanding of innate immune system based on antimicrobial peptides tends to develop novel natural antimicrobial agents, which might be applied for defensing pathogenic microorganisms resistant to conventional antibiotics.