Novel induction of broad-spectrum antibiotics by the human pathogen Legionella.

ABSTRACT: The majority of antibiotics are natural products, with microorganism-generated molecules and their derivatives being the most prevalent source of drugs to treat infections. Thus, identifying natural products remains the most valuable resource for novel therapeutics. Here, we report the discovery of a series of dormant bacteria in honey that have bactericidal activity toward Legionella, a bacterial pathogen that causes respiratory disease in humans. We show that, in response to bacterial products secreted by Legionella, the honey bacteria release diffusible antimicrobial molecules. Remarkably, the honey bacteria only produce these molecules in response to Legionella spp., when compared to a panel of 24 bacterial pathogens from different genera. However, the molecules in

SUBMITTER: Shin CJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11288058 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature