title: Bacteriocins synthesized byBacillus thuringiensis: generalities and potential applications.
abstract: The members of theBacillus thuringiensisgroup, commonly known as Bt, produce a huge number of metabolites, which show biocidal and antagonistic activity.B. thuringiensisis widely known for synthesizing Cry, Vip and Cyt proteins, active against insects and other parasporins with biocidal activity against certain types of cancerous cells. Nevertheless,B. thuringiensisalso synthesizes compounds with antimicrobial activity, especially bacteriocins. SomeB. thuringiensisbacteriocins resemble lantibiotics and other small linear peptides (class IIa) from the lactic acid bacteria bacteriocins classification system. Although many bacteriocins produced by Bt have been reported, there is no proper classification for them. In this work, we have grouped these based on molecular weight and functionality. Bacteriocins are small peptides synthesized by bacteria, presenting inhibitory activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and to a lesser extent against fungi. These molecules represent a good study model in the search for microbial control alternatives. Lactic acid bacteria produces a huge number of these types of molecules with great potential. Nonetheless, members of theBacillus, cereusgroup, especiallyB. thuringiensis,emerge as an attractive alternative for obtaining bacteriocins showing novel activities. This review describes the potential applications ofB. thuringiensisbacteriocins in the control of foodborne pathogens, environment and medical area.
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Biotecnología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Pedro de Alba y Manuel L. Barragán S/N, Ciudad Universitaria, San Nicolás de los Garza, Nuevo León; Conservation Medicine Laboratory Centro de Biotecnología Genómica, IPN. Blvd. del Maestro S/N esq. Elías Piña, Col. Narcizo Mendoza, Reynosa Tamps, México.
authors.forename: Elma Laura
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Salazar-Marroquín
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Biotecnología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Pedro de Alba y Manuel L. Barragán S/N, Ciudad Universitaria, San Nicolás de los Garza, Nuevo León.
authors.forename: Luis J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Galán-Wong
authors.affiliation: Conservation Medicine Laboratory Centro de Biotecnología Genómica, IPN. Blvd. del Maestro S/N esq. Elías Piña, Col. Narcizo Mendoza, Reynosa Tamps, México.
authors.forename: Víctor Ricardo
authors.initials: VR
authors.lastname: Moreno-Medina
authors.affiliation: Conservation Medicine Laboratory Centro de Biotecnología Genómica, IPN. Blvd. del Maestro S/N esq. Elías Piña, Col. Narcizo Mendoza, Reynosa Tamps, México.
authors.forename: Miguel Ángel
authors.initials: MÁ
authors.lastname: Reyes-López
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Biotecnología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Pedro de Alba y Manuel L. Barragán S/N, Ciudad Universitaria, San Nicolás de los Garza, Nuevo León.
authors.forename: Benito
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Pereyra-Alférez
keywords: Bacillus thuringiensis; antimicrobial peptides; bacteriocins; biotherapy