The interaction of nisin, a membrane-interacting cationic polypeptide, with membrane-mimicking micelles of zwitterionic dodecylphosphocholine and of anionic sodium dodecylsulphate was studied. Direct contacts have been established through the observation of NOEs between nisin and micelle protons. Spin-labeled DOXYL-stearic acids were incorporated into the two micellar systems. From the paramagn...

Bacillus species are widely exploited as biocontrol agents because of their efficiency in impeding various plant pathogens with multifaceted approach. In this study, Bacillus species were isolated from rhizosphere of various plants viz., carnations, cotton, turmeric, and bananas in Tamil Nadu state of India. Their potential to control the mycelial growth of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum was assessed...

leichmannii 313 in tubes and diffusion of oxygen into the medium. Biochem. J., 50, 455-459. LEWIS, J. C., HUMPHREYS, E. M., THOMPSON, P. A., DIMICK, K. P., BENEDICT, R. G., LANGLYKKE, A. F., AND LIGHTBODY, H. 1). 1947 The microbiological assay of subtilin. Arch. Biochem., 14, 437-450. Loy, H. W., JR., HAGGERTY, J. F., AND KLINE, 0. L. 1950 A cause of variation in the microbiological assay for v...

The lantibiotic (lanthionine-containing antibiotic) mersacidin is an antimicrobial peptide consisting of 20 amino acids and is produced by Bacillus sp. strain HIL Y-85,54728. The structural gene (mrsA) and the genes for producer self-protection, modification enzymes, transport proteins, and regulator proteins are organized in a 12.3-kb biosynthetic gene cluster on the chromosome of the producer...

The biosynthetic genes of the nisin-producing strain Lactococcus lactis 6F3 are organized in an operon-like structure starting with the structural gene nisA followed by the genes nisB, nisT, and nisC, which are probably involved in chemical modification and secretion of the prepeptide (G. Engelke, Z. Gutowski-Eckel, M. Hammelmann, and K.-D. Entian, Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 58:3730-3743, 1992)....

Tremendous progress has been made in the past decade in the development of new disease-preventing agents. Foremost among such agents arc penicillin and strc^ptomycin, both of microbial origin. Other antibiotic substances of siinilar origin, such as chloromycetin^ aurcomycin, and terramycin^ are becoming especially valuable. Still others, including bacitracin, subtilin, ]:>olymyxin, and circulin...