Competitive induction and enhancement of indole and a diketopiperazine in marine bacteria.
Thirteen bacterial strains isolated from a sample of Ulva californica were cultured, extracted, and assayed for antibiotic activity. The target strains were 2 gram-positive isolates from the same algal sample. When cultured in monoculture, 2 of the 13 isolates produced extracts with antimicrobial activity. More significantly, one Bacillus isolate (UA-094) produced indole and cyclo(Phe-Pro) at active levels upon challenge with a different Bacillus target strain. These mildly antibiotic compounds were barely detectable in extracts without challenge. This technique of competitive induction and enhancement could be a valuable tool in the search for new antibiotics.
Trischman
Jacqueline A
JA
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, California State University San Marcos, San Marcos, CA 92096, USA. trischma@csusm.edu
Oeffner
Richard E
RE
de Luna
Michelle G
MG
Kazaoka
Martin
M
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D001407:Bacillus / Q000378:metabolism*; D002140:California; D002855:Chromatography, Thin Layer; D054659:Diketopiperazines; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D007211:Indoles / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D010879:Piperazines / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D044445:Ulva / Q000382:microbiology*
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D054659:Diketopiperazines; D007211:Indoles; D010879:Piperazines; C030374:indole