Nisin biological synthesis

Nisin is a natural antimicrobial peptide that is synthesized by certain strains of lactic acid bacteria, particularly Lactococcus lactis.The biological synthesis of nisin involves a complex process that takes place within the bacterial cell.

The synthesis of nisin is encoded by a cluster of genes known as the nisin biosynthetic gene cluster. The biosynthetic gene cluster contains genes responsible for the production of prenisin, the precursor to the active nisin peptide.

The genes within the biosynthetic cluster are transcribed into messenger RNA (mRNA).The mRNA is then translated by ribosomes to produce the corresponding protein products.

The initial product is a longer, inactive precursor known as prenisin.

Prenisin consists of a leader peptide region and a core peptide region.

Post-translational modification of prenisin occurs in the bacterial cell.

The leader peptide is cleaved off, resulting in the mature and active form of nisin.

After cleavage of the leader peptide, an intramolecular cyclization process takes place. This process involves the formation of specific thioether linkages, resulting in the characteristic lanthionine and methyllanthionine rings found in the structure of nisin.

The mature nisin peptide is transported across the bacterial cell membrane and secreted into the extracellular environment. The transport and secretion of nisin involve specific enzymes and transport proteins encoded by genes within the biosynthetic cluster.

Nisin-producing bacteria often exhibit a mechanism of autoregulation.The presence of nisin in the environment can influence the expression of genes involved in its synthesis. Autoregulation helps maintain an optimal level of nisin production in response to environmental conditions.

Once released into the extracellular space, nisin exhibits its antimicrobial activity by disrupting the cell membranes of susceptible bacteria. The mechanism of action involves interactions with lipid II, a key precursor in bacterial cell wall synthesis, leading to membrane permeabilization and cell death.

The biological synthesis of nisin is a fascinating process that involves multiple steps, including gene expression, post-translational modifications, and secretion.Understanding these processes is crucial for the production of nisin for various applications, including its use as a natural preservative in the food industry.