http://www.umassmed.edu/globalassets/immunology-and-microbiology/documents/papers-for-bbs821-2015/nov-24-reviewfor-general-info.pdf

Role of the Microbiota in Immunity and Inflammation

Bacteriocins of gram-positive bacteria.

Bacteriocins are bacterially produced antimicrobial peptides with narrow or broad host ranges. Many bacteriocins are produced by food-grade lactic acid bacteria, a phenomenon which offers food scientists the possibility of directing or preventing the development of specific bacterial species in food. This can be particularly useful in preservation or food safety applications, but also has implications for the development of desirable flora in fermented food. In this sense, bacteriocins can be used to confer a rudimentary form of innate immunity to foodstuffs, helping processors extend their control over the food flora long after manufacture.

Bacteriocins: developing innate immunity for food

http://www.dejongeakademie.nl/shared/resources/documents/bacteriocins-safe-for-food-preservation-cleveland-1.pdf

Bacteriocins: Safe, natural antimicrobials for food preservation

Utilization of polymers as biomaterials has greatly impacted the advancement of modern medicine. Specifically, polymeric biomaterials that are biodegradable provide the significant advantage of being able to be broken down and removed after they have served their function. Applications are wide ranging with degradable polymers being used clinically as surgical sutures and implants. In order to fit functional demand, materials with desired physical, chemical, biological, biomechanical and degradation properties must be selected. Fortunately, a wide range of natural and synthetic degradable polymers has been investigated for biomedical applications with novel materials constantly being developed to meet new challenges. This review summarizes the most recent advances in the field over the past 4 years, specifically highlighting new and interesting discoveries in tissue engineering and drug delivery applications.

/pdf/biomedical-applications-of-biodegradable-polymers-2db9gcyzxw.pdf

Biomedical Applications of Biodegradable Polymers

Listeria: A foodborne pathogen that knows how to survive

Functions and emerging applications of bacteriocins.

Pediocin PA-1 is a bacteriocin which is produced by Pediococcus acidilactici PAC1.0. We demonstrate that pediocin PA-1 kills sensitive Pediococcus cells and acts on the cytoplasmic membrane. In contrast to its lack of impact on immune cells, pediocin PA-1 dissipates the transmembrane electrical potential and inhibits amino acid transport in sensitive cells. Pediocin interferes with the uptake of amino acids by cytoplasmic membrane vesicles derived from sensitive cells, while it is less effective with membranes derived from immune cells. In liposomes fused with membrane vesicles derived from both sensitive and immune cells, pediocin PA-1 elicits an efflux of small ions and, at higher concentrations, an efflux of molecules having molecular weights of up to 9,400. Our data suggest that pediocin PA-1 functions in a voltage-independent manner but requires a specific protein in the target membrane.

https://pure.rug.nl/ws/files/15702166/1993ApplEnvirMicrobiolChikindas.pdf

Pediocin PA-1, a Bacteriocin from Pediococcus acidilactici PAC1.0, Forms Hydrophilic Pores in the Cytoplasmic Membrane of Target Cells

Aims: To purify and characterize an antimicrobial protein (bacteriocin) isolated from the dairy product-derived Bacillus amyloliquefaciens. Methods and Results: An unknown bacterial species cultured from the Yogu Farm TM probiotic dairy beverage was identified through 16S ribosomal RNA analysis as B. amyloliquefaciens, a phylogenetically close relative of Bacillus subtilis. The cell-free supernatant (CFS) of overnight cultures was active against Listeria monocytogenes and also against clinical isolates of Gardnerella vaginalis and Streptococcus agalactiae. At the same time, several isolates of vaginal probiotic Lactobacilli were resistant to the CFS. The nature of the compound causing inhibitory activity was confirmed as proteinaceous by enzymatic digestion. The protein was isolated using ammonium sulfate precipitation, and further purified via column chromatography. PCR analysis was conducted to determine relatedness to other bacteriocins produced by Bacillus spp. Conclusion: The antimicrobial protein isolated from B. amyloliquefaciens was shown to be subtilosin, a bacteriocin previously reported as produced only by B. subtilis. Significance and Impact of the Study: This is the first report of intra-species horizontal gene transfer for subtilosin and the first fully characterized bacteriocin isolated from B. amyloliquefaciens. Finally, this is the first report on subtilosin’s activity against bacterial vaginosis-associated pathogens.

/pdf/isolation-of-the-bacillus-subtilis-antimicrobial-peptide-d5bloii3q9.pdf

Michael L. Chikindas

Papers

Bacteriocins: Safe, natural antimicrobials for food preservation

Listeria: A foodborne pathogen that knows how to survive

Functions and emerging applications of bacteriocins.

Pediocin PA-1, a Bacteriocin from Pediococcus acidilactici PAC1.0, Forms Hydrophilic Pores in the Cytoplasmic Membrane of Target Cells

Isolation of the Bacillus subtilis antimicrobial peptide subtilosin from the dairy product-derived Bacillus amyloliquefaciens.