The spectrum of antimicrobial activity of the bacteriocin subtilosin A

Background. Bacterocins are antimicrobial peptides produced by bacteria with a relatively narrow range of activity against closely related organisms. Subtilosin A is a bacteriocin produced by Bacillus subtilis that has activity against Listeria monocytogenes, which might indicate antimicrobial activity unusual for bacteriocins. Objectives: To examine the antimicrobial activity and factors affecting the activity of subtilosin A against a range of potentially pathogenic bacteria. Methods: The peptide was purified from cultures of B. subtilis and the MIC determined for 18 species of bacteria using a microdilution methodology. The extent of capsule formation was determined using microscopic examination of cells mounted in India ink. Protease mutants of a susceptible bacteria and mild heat shock were used to examine the effect of environmental stress on subtilosin A activity. Results: Subtilosin A proved to have antimicrobial activity against a wide range of bacteria including Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and both aerobes and anaerobes. The peptide was less effective against capsulated forms of two Gram-negative bacteria than the non-capsulated strains of either. Heat shock but not protease activity also altered the effectiveness of the bacteriocin. Conclusions: Subtilosin A has limited antimicrobial activity against a number of human pathogens which, combined with its relative ineffectiveness against some capsulated pathogens, may limit its usefulness as a human therapeutic.