title: Assessment of the bacteriocinogenic potential of marine bacteria reveals lichenicidin production by seaweed-derived Bacillus spp.
abstract: The objectives of this study were (1) to assess the bacteriocinogenic potential of bacteria derived mainly from seaweed, but also sand and seawater, (2) to identify at least some of the bacteriocins produced, if any and (3) to determine if they are unique to the marine environment and/or novel. Fifteen Bacillus licheniformis or pumilus isolates with antimicrobial activity against at least one of the indicator bacteria used were recovered. Some, at least, of the antimicrobials produced were bacteriocins, as they were proteinaceous and the producers displayed immunity. Screening with PCR primers for known Bacillus bacteriocins revealed that three seaweed-derived Bacillus licheniformis harbored the bli04127 gene which encodes one of the peptides of the two-peptide lantibiotic lichenicidin. Production of both lichenicidin peptides was then confirmed by mass spectrometry. This is the first definitive proof of bacteriocin production by seaweed-derived bacteria. The authors acknowledge that the bacteriocin produced has previously been discovered and is not unique to the marine environment. However, the other marine isolates likely produce novel bacteriocins, as none harboured genes for known Bacillus bacteriocins.
authors.affiliation: Eco-Innovation Research Centre, Department of Chemical and Life Sciences, Waterford Institute of Technology, Waterford, Ireland.
authors.forename: Maria Luz
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Prieto
authors.affiliation: Eco-Innovation Research Centre, Department of Chemical and Life Sciences, Waterford Institute of Technology, Waterford, Ireland.
authors.forename: Laurie
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: O'Sullivan
authors.affiliation: Eco-Innovation Research Centre, Department of Chemical and Life Sciences, Waterford Institute of Technology, Waterford, Ireland.
authors.forename: Shiau Pin
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Tan
authors.affiliation: Eco-Innovation Research Centre, Department of Chemical and Life Sciences, Waterford Institute of Technology, Waterford, Ireland.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: McLoughlin
authors.affiliation: Eco-Innovation Research Centre, Department of Chemical and Life Sciences, Waterford Institute of Technology, Waterford, Ireland.
authors.forename: Helen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hughes
authors.affiliation: Food Biosciences Department, Teagasc Food Research Centre, Teagasc, Moorepark, Fermoy, Co. Cork, Ireland.|Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre, University College Cork, Co. Cork, Ireland.
authors.forename: Paula M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: O'Connor
authors.affiliation: Food Biosciences Department, Teagasc Food Research Centre, Teagasc, Moorepark, Fermoy, Co. Cork, Ireland.|Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre, University College Cork, Co. Cork, Ireland.
authors.forename: Paul D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Cotter
authors.affiliation: Pig Development Department, Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Moorepark, Fermoy, Co. Cork, Ireland.
authors.forename: Peadar G
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-1571-2919
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Lawlor
authors.affiliation: Eco-Innovation Research Centre, Department of Chemical and Life Sciences, Waterford Institute of Technology, Waterford, Ireland.
authors.forename: Gillian E
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Gardiner
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001407:Bacillus / Q000145:classification* / Q000378:metabolism*; D001430:Bacteriocins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001431:Bacteriological Techniques; D003470:Culture Media; D015964:Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial / Q000502:physiology; D012624:Seaweed / Q000382:microbiology*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D001430:Bacteriocins; D003470:Culture Media; C546394:lichenicidin, Bacillus licheniformis