Mycosubtilin is a natural

lipopeptide A lipopeptide is a molecule consisting of a lipid connected to a peptide. They are able to self-assemble into different structures. Many bacteria produced these molecules as a part of their metabolism, especially those of the genus ''Bacillus'', ' ...

with antifungal and hemolytic activities and isolated from ''

Bacillus ''Bacillus'' (Latin "stick") is a genus of Gram-positive, rod-shaped bacteria, a member of the phylum ''Bacillota'', with 266 named species. The term is also used to describe the shape (rod) of other so-shaped bacteria; and the plural ''Bacilli ...

'' species. It belongs to the iturin lipopeptide family.

Definition

Mycosubtilin is a natural lipopeptide. It is produced by the strains of ''Bacillus'' spp mainly by ''

Bacillus subtilis ''Bacillus subtilis'', known also as the hay bacillus or grass bacillus, is a Gram-positive, catalase-positive bacterium, found in soil and the gastrointestinal tract of ruminants, humans and marine sponges. As a member of the genus ''Bacillu ...

''. It was discovered due to its antifungal activities. It belongs to the family of iturin lipopeptides

Structure

Mycosubtilin is a heptapeptide, cyclized in a ring with a β-amino fatty acid. The peptide sequence is composed of L-Asn-D-Tyr-D-Asn-L-Gln-L-Pro-D-Ser-L-Asn. The ramification of the β-amino fatty acid can be ''iso'' or ''anteiso'' . It could contain 16-17 carbon atom.

Biological activities

Mycosubtilin has strong antifungal and hemolytic activities. It is active against fungi and yeasts such as

Candida albicans ''Candida albicans'' is an opportunistic pathogenic yeast that is a common member of the human gut flora. It can also survive outside the human body. It is detected in the gastrointestinal tract and mouth in 40–60% of healthy adults. It is us ...

, Candida tropicalis,

Saccharomyces cerevisiae ''Saccharomyces cerevisiae'' () (brewer's yeast or baker's yeast) is a species of yeast (single-celled fungus microorganisms). The species has been instrumental in winemaking, baking, and brewing since ancient times. It is believed to have been o ...

Penicillium notatum ''Penicillium chrysogenum'' (formerly known as ''Penicillium notatum'') is a species of fungus in the genus ''Penicillium''. It is common in temperate and subtropical regions and can be found on salted food products, but it is mostly found in in ...

Fusarium oxysporum ''Fusarium oxysporum'' (Schlecht as emended by Snyder and Hansen), an ascomycete fungus, comprises all the species, varieties and forms recognized by Wollenweber and Reinking within an infrageneric grouping called section Elegans. It is part of ...

. Its antibacterial activity is quite limited to bacteria such as Microccocus luteus.Besson F., Peypoux F. & Michel G., 1978b. ''Action of mycosubtilin and of bacillomycin L on Micrococcus luteus cells and protoplasts: influence of the polarity of the antibiotics upon their action on the bacterial cytoplasmic membrane''. FEBS Lett., 90, 36-40.

References

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