Classification and mode of action of membrane-active bacteriocins produced by gram-positive bacteria

Autores/as

  • Juan C. Oscáriz Department of Agricultural Production, Public University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
  • Antonio G. Pisabarro Department of Agricultural Production, Public University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain

Palabras clave:

bacteriocin, peptidic antibiotic, cationic peptides, membrane-active compound, electrostatic interaction

Resumen

Bacteriocins are ribosomally synthesized antimicrobial peptides produced by microorganisms belonging to different eubacterial taxonomic branches. Most of them are small cationic membrane-active compounds that form pores in the target cells, disrupting membrane potentials and causing cell death. The production of small cationic peptides with antibacterial activity is a defense strategy found not only in bacteria, but also in plants and animals. Bacteriocins are classifed according to different criteria by different authors; in this review, we will summarize the principal bacteriocin classifications, highlight their main physical and chemical characteristics, and describe the mechanism of some selected bacteriocins that act at the membrane level.

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Publicado

2010-03-12

Número

Vol. 4 Núm. 1 (2001)

Sección

Review Articles

Licencia

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