A core human gut microbe, <i>Mediterraneibacter gnavus</i>, produces a broad-spectrum bacteriocin mediterrocin.

ABSTRACT: A diverse, stable community of microbes in the human gut is strongly tied to health. The factors that regulate microbial community structure and dynamics are ill-defined. In this study, we discover mediterrocin, a bacteriocin produced by the core member of the human gut microbiota, Mediterraneibacter gnavus (previously Ruminococcus gnavus). Following a screen for antimicrobial production by clinical isolates of M. gnavus, mediterrocin was isolated by bioactivity-guided fractionation from strain RJX1121, identified by mass spectrometry, and confirmed by gene disruption. Mediterrocin, an 89 amino acid secreted protein, is a broad-spectrum bacteriocin. Annotation of the mediterrocin biosynthetic gene cluster revealed a wide distribution among Bacillota (previously Firmicu

SUBMITTER: Mingolelli G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12345188 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature