Temperature and pH stable lanthionine based mutacin antibiotic compositions and methods derived 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 novel lanthionine-containing mutacin peptide from S. mutans. 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.