Researchers identify new class of antimicrobials

Researchers from Technical University Berlin and the Deinobiotics subsidiary of Deinove S.A. (Euronext:ALDEI) identified a new class of antimicrobials, a group of ribosomally synthesized peptides called lipolanthines, in a paper published Monday in Nature Chemical Biology.
Antimicrobial peptides are part of a new wave of therapeutic candidates to combat antibacterial resistance, and new screening platforms and synthetic approaches could finally help overcome their history of limited clinical efficacy, systemic toxicity and high cost (see "Peptides Step Up").

First, the team found evidence of antimicrobial activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), S. pneumoniae and other Gram-positive bacteria in culture extracts of the actinomycete bacteria Microbacterium arborescens. The authors then isolated the bioactive compound, dubbed microvionin...