Lanthionine antibiotic compositions isolated from Streptococcus mutans

摘要

Certain bacteria indigenous to humans produce antimicrobial substances called bacteriocins that inhibit other bacteria, including members of their own species. Mutacins are a class of antibiotic substances made by Streptococcus mutans. Disclosed is the purification and biochemical characterization of a lanthionine-containing mutacin peptide from S. mutans, and a pharmaceutical composition containing it. The purified peptide is pH- and temperature-stable and its amino acid composition indicates the presence of lanthionine and beta -methyllanthionine. Also provided are methods of making and using the purified polypeptide.