title: The bacteriocin bactofencin A subtly modulates gut microbial populations.
abstract: The diverse and dynamic microbiota of the gastrointestinal tract represents a vast source of bioactive substances. These include bacteriocins, which are antimicrobial peptides with the potential to modulate gut populations to impact positively on human health. Although several gut-derived bacteriocins have been isolated, there remain only a few exceptional studies in which their influence on microbial populations within the gut has been investigated. To facilitate such investigations, in vitro faecal fermentation systems can be used to simulate the anaerobic environment of the colon. In this instance, such a system was employed to explore the impact of bactofencin A, a novel broad spectrum class IId bacteriocin produced by gut isolates of Lactobacillus salivarius, on intestinal populations and overall microbial diversity. The study reveals that, although bactofencin A is a broad spectrum bacteriocin, it has a relatively subtle influence on intestinal communities, with a potentially positive impact on anaerobic populations such as Bacteroides, Clostridium and Bifidibacterium spp. The strategy taken is an important first step in investigating the merits of using bactofencin A to manipulate the gut microbiota in a beneficial way for health.
authors.affiliation: Teagasc Food Research Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, Co Cork, Ireland.
authors.forename: Caitriona M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Guinane
authors.affiliation: Teagasc Food Research Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, Co Cork, Ireland.
authors.forename: Elaine M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Lawton
authors.affiliation: Teagasc Food Research Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, Co Cork, Ireland; APC Microbiome Institute, University College Cork, Ireland.
authors.forename: Paula M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: O'Connor
authors.affiliation: Teagasc Food Research Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, Co Cork, Ireland.
authors.forename: Órla
authors.initials: Ó
authors.lastname: O'Sullivan
authors.affiliation: APC Microbiome Institute, University College Cork, Ireland; School of Microbiology, University College Cork, Ireland.
authors.forename: Colin
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hill
authors.affiliation: APC Microbiome Institute, University College Cork, Ireland; School of Science, Engineering & Food Science, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.
authors.forename: R Paul
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Ross
authors.affiliation: Teagasc Food Research Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, Co Cork, Ireland; APC Microbiome Institute, University College Cork, Ireland. Electronic address: paul.cotter@teagasc.ie.
authors.forename: Paul D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Cotter
mesh_terms: D001430:Bacteriocins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001439:Bacteroides / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development; D001644:Bifidobacterium / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development; D003013:Clostridium / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development; D003106:Colon / Q000382:microbiology*; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development; D005243:Feces / Q000382:microbiology; D005285:Fermentation; D000069196:Gastrointestinal Microbiome / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D048668:Lactobacillus delbrueckii / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development; D000069996:Ligilactobacillus salivarius / Q000502:physiology*; D008954:Models, Biological
chemical_list: D001430:Bacteriocins
keywords: Anaerobes; Bactofencin A; Distal colon model; Microbial diversity