New antibiotic derived from potato pathogen

highlight

• Most antibiotic compounds are derived from soil microorganisms.
• Researchers have discovered a new antifungal antibiotic, solanimycin.
• Solanimycin is produced by various plant pathogens.
• Solanimycin and related compounds may be useful in treating human and plant pathogens.
• Plant-associated bacteria are potential sources of antibiotics for clinical and agricultural use.

NEWSWISE — WASHINGTON DC — With the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance, researchers are everywhere looking for new compounds.This week mBioa multinational team of European researchers reports the discovery of a new antifungal antibiotic named solanimycin. It seems to be produced by a broad spectrum of sexually transmitted bacteria.

Solanimycin works against a wide range of fungi known to infect crops and wreak havoc, researchers say.In laboratory studies, this compound is Candida albicansis a fungus that occurs naturally in the body but can cause dangerous infections.The results suggest that solanimycin and related compounds may be useful in both agricultural and clinical settings. increase.

Soil microorganisms, especially from the phylum Streptomyces, produce most of the therapeutic antibiotics in use today. Dr Rita Monson, a microbiologist at the University of Cambridge, said the new findings suggest it’s worth taking a closer look at plant-based microbes, especially as crops develop tolerance to existing treatments. , at the Spanish Research Council’s Estación Experimental del Zaidín in Granada, in collaboration with molecular microbiologist Dr. Miguel Matilla.

“We need to look more extensively at the larger microbial populations that are available to us,” said Monson.

Potato pathogen Dikeya SolaniProducing solanimycin was first identified over 15 years ago. Researchers in the lab of molecular microbiologist Dr George Salmond at the University of Cambridge began investigating its antibiotic potential about ten years ago.

“These strains emerged rapidly and are now widely distributed,” Matilla said.

Solanimycin is not the first antibiotic to be discovered from microorganisms. In previous studies, researchers found that: D Solani It produces an antibiotic called osidin A that is highly active against multiple fungal plant pathogens.

These previous findings, along with analysis of the bacterial genome, suggest that it may synthesize additional antibiotics, and may also have antifungal potential. , Monson, Salmond, and their colleagues found that bacteria continued to exhibit antifungal activity when the gene involved in the production of aucidin A was silenced.

That observation led to the identification of solanimycin and the gene cluster responsible for the protein that makes the compound.

Researchers have found that bacteria use compounds sparingly and produce according to cell density. An acidic pH environment, such as that present in potatoes, also activates the solanimycin gene cluster. Monson said it almost looks like a clever protective mechanism.

“This is an antifungal that we believe works by killing the fungus’ competitors, and the bacteria benefit a lot from this,” Monson said. Do not turn on the power unless you are

Monson said researchers began working with chemists to learn more about solanimycin’s molecular structure and better understand how it works. and hopes to continue testing this compound in animal models.

“Our future steps will focus on using this antibiotic antimycotic for plant protection,” Matira said. I’m seeing D Solani—may be induced to make compounds that can be used against plant and human diseases.

“We have to be open to exploring everything out there to find new antibiotics,” Matira said.

###

The American Society for Microbiology is one of the largest single life science societies with over 30,000 scientists and medical professionals. ASM’s mission is to promote and advance microbiology.

ASM advances microbiology through conferences, publications, recognition, educational opportunities, and advocacy. Enhance lab capacity around the world through training and resources. It provides a network for scientists in academia, industry and clinical practice. In addition, ASM promotes a deeper understanding of microbial science for diverse audiences.