title: Bioengineering Lantibiotics for Therapeutic Success.
abstract: Several examples of highly modified antimicrobial peptides have been described. While many such peptides are non-ribosomally synthesized, ribosomally synthesized equivalents are being discovered with increased frequency. Of the latter group, the lantibiotics continue to attract most attention. In the present review, we discuss the implementation of in vivo and in vitro engineering systems to alter, and even enhance, the antimicrobial activity, antibacterial spectrum and physico-chemical properties, including heat stability, solubility, diffusion and protease resistance, of these compounds. Additionally, we discuss the potential applications of these lantibiotics for use as therapeutics.
authors.affiliation: School of Microbiology, University College Cork , Cork, Ireland.
authors.forename: Des
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Field
authors.affiliation: Teagasc Food Research Centre , Fermoy, Ireland ; APC Microbiome Institute, University College Cork , Cork, Ireland.
authors.forename: Paul D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Cotter
authors.affiliation: School of Microbiology, University College Cork , Cork, Ireland ; APC Microbiome Institute, University College Cork , Cork, Ireland.
authors.forename: Colin
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hill
authors.affiliation: Teagasc Food Research Centre , Fermoy, Ireland ; APC Microbiome Institute, University College Cork , Cork, Ireland.
authors.forename: R P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Ross
keywords: antimicrobial peptide; bacterial resistance; bacteriocin; lantibiotic; mutagenesis; nisin; post-translational modification