A novel glycopeptide antibiotic: the sting is in the tail

摘要

Bacteriocins, "the microbial weapon of choice", are ribosomally synthesised antibacterial peptides that often exhibit a narrow phylogenetic range of growth inhibition. We report the biochemical and structural characterisation of a novel bacteriocin (minimal inhibitory concentration = 2.5 nM) that we believe is the first verified example of a glycocin or class IV bacteriocin.