AUTHOR=Field Des , Cotter Paul D. , Hill Colin , Ross R. P. 

TITLE=Bioengineering Lantibiotics for Therapeutic Success

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Microbiology

VOLUME=6

YEAR=2015

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/microbiology/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2015.01363

DOI=10.3389/fmicb.2015.01363

ISSN=1664-302X

ABSTRACT=<p>Several examples of highly modified antimicrobial peptides have been described. While many such peptides are non-ribosomally synthesized, ribosomally synthesized equivalents are being discovered with increased frequency. Of the latter group, the lantibiotics continue to attract most attention. In the present review, we discuss the implementation of <italic>in vivo</italic> and <italic>in vitro</italic> engineering systems to alter, and even enhance, the antimicrobial activity, antibacterial spectrum and physico-chemical properties, including heat stability, solubility, diffusion and protease resistance, of these compounds. Additionally, we discuss the potential applications of these lantibiotics for use as therapeutics.</p>