7 research outputs found
Comparative Genomic Insights Into the Biosynthesis and Regulation of Mycobacterial Siderophores
Iron is essential for nearly all biological events. Siderophores are indispensable for most organisms to obtain iron from iron-limiting milieus. This holds particularly true for pathogens such as the causative agent of tuberculosis – Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The categories of mycobacterial siderophores, their biosynthesis and regulation are summarized here. The siderophore biosynthesis and regulation differences between the pathogenic and non-pathogenic mycobacteria are highlighted from comparative genomic perspective, with an aim to find clues for drug or drug target within siderophore metabolism
Improving collaboration between ecosystem service communities and the IPBES science-policy platform
The end of the first working program of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) provided an opportunity to draw lessons from its work. This perspective paper captures insights from ecosystem services (ES) researchers and practitioners, largely drawing from the Europeancontext (referred to herein as ‘ES community’), on this key science–policy interface. We synthesize reflections from a workshop on how (i) IPBES can engage the ES community; (ii) the ES community can engage with IPBES; and (iii) individual scientists can contribute. We note that IPBES constitutes a great advancement towards multidisciplinarity and inclusivity in ES research and practice. Key reflections for IPBES are that funding and visibility at ES research events could be improved, the contribution and selection processes could be more transparent, and communication with experts improved. Key reflections for the ES community include a need to improvepolicy-relevance by integrating more social scientists, researchers from developing countries, early-career scientists and policy-makers. Key reflections directed towards individual scientists include contributing (pro)actively to science–policy inter-face initiatives such as IPBES and increasing transdisciplinary research. These reflections intend to contribute to the awareness of challenges and opportunities for institutions, groups and individuals working on ES
Antimicrobial peptides produced by bacteria: The bacteriocins
Bacteriocins are the subset of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) produced
by bacteria. They are small amphipathic peptides that interact with bacterial
membranes leading to cell death. Most of the best known are produced by lactic
acid bacteria used as food fermentation starters, because of their potential use as
food preservatives. Bacteriocins are divided into two groups: lantibiotics that present posttranslational condensation rings and unmodified peptides. The first are
subdivided into elongated versus globular lantibiotics, while four subgroups are
recognized among unmodified bacteriocins. The genetic organization is in clusters
that may reside into plasmids or transposons, formed by the structural gene, the
export and immunity determinants, the quorum sensing governing production and
any modification genes. Bacteriocins are active at extremely low concentrations
(nM range) due to a dual mode of action: (a) binding to the membrane phospholipids and (b) specific recognition of surface components, both of which collaborate
in pore formation. Development of resistance to bacteriocins is very infrequent due
to the presence of two targets and is usually due to unspecific modifications of the
cell envelope. Bacteriocins are used as food preservatives, either after total or partial
purification or as extracts of producing bacteria. In situ production is also used, with
the advantage of producing early lysis of the starter bacteria and ripening acceleration of the fermented product. They may also form part of hurdle technologies
and be incorporated into packaging systems to allow extended liberation. Medical
and veterinary applications are in their infancy but good results have been obtained
against infection by Gram-positive bacteria and Helicobacter pylori.Peer reviewe