Bacteriocin diversity, function, discovery and application as antimicrobials

Bacteriocin diversity, function, discovery and application as antimicrobials

2024 May 10; 22(9): 556–571 | Ivan Sugrue, R. Paul Ross, Colin Hill
Bacteriocins are potent antimicrobial peptides produced by bacteria, with a history spanning nearly a century. They exhibit diverse structures, ranging from complex post-translationally modified peptides to simple linear structures. Despite their potential as antimicrobials, most bacteriocins remain incompletely characterized. Bacteriocins can be broadly or narrowly spectrumed, making them promising tools for combating infectious pathogens, especially in the context of the global antimicrobial resistance crisis. However, few bacteriocins have advanced beyond preclinical trials, and none are currently used therapeutically in humans. This review explores the diversity of bacteriocin structures and functions, methods for identification and optimization, and the reasons behind the lack of translation from laboratory to clinical use. It also discusses the potential applications of bacteriocins, including their use in live biotherapeutics for microbiome modulation and their therapeutic potential against antimicrobial-resistant pathogens. The review highlights the challenges and opportunities in bacteriocin research, emphasizing the need for further development and clinical evaluation to realize their full potential as antimicrobial agents.Bacteriocins are potent antimicrobial peptides produced by bacteria, with a history spanning nearly a century. They exhibit diverse structures, ranging from complex post-translationally modified peptides to simple linear structures. Despite their potential as antimicrobials, most bacteriocins remain incompletely characterized. Bacteriocins can be broadly or narrowly spectrumed, making them promising tools for combating infectious pathogens, especially in the context of the global antimicrobial resistance crisis. However, few bacteriocins have advanced beyond preclinical trials, and none are currently used therapeutically in humans. This review explores the diversity of bacteriocin structures and functions, methods for identification and optimization, and the reasons behind the lack of translation from laboratory to clinical use. It also discusses the potential applications of bacteriocins, including their use in live biotherapeutics for microbiome modulation and their therapeutic potential against antimicrobial-resistant pathogens. The review highlights the challenges and opportunities in bacteriocin research, emphasizing the need for further development and clinical evaluation to realize their full potential as antimicrobial agents.
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[slides and audio] Bacteriocin diversity%2C function%2C discovery and application as antimicrobials