Mechanistic and functional aspects of the Ruminococcin C sactipeptide isoforms.

In a scenario where the discovery of new molecules to fight antibiotic resistance is a public health concern, ribosomally synthesized and post-translationally modified peptides constitute a promising alternative. In this context, the Gram-positive human gut symbiont E1 produces five sactipeptides, Ruminococcins C1 to C5 (RumC1-C5), co-expressed with two radical SAM maturases. RumC1 has been shown to be effective against various multidrug resistant Gram-positives clinical isolates.

Evaluation of the Efficiency of Random and Diblock Methacrylate-Based Amphiphilic Cationic Polymers against Major Bacterial Pathogens Associated with Cystic Fibrosis.

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is associated with repeated lung bacterial infection, mainly by , , and , all known to be or becoming resistant to several antibiotics, often leading to therapeutic failure and death. In this context, antimicrobial peptides and antimicrobial polymers active against resistant strains and less prompt to cause resistance, appear as a good alternative to conventional antibiotics. In the present study, methacrylate-based copolymers obtained by radical chemistry were evaluated against CF-associated bacterial strains.

The Multifunctional Sactipeptide Ruminococcin C1 Displays Potent Antibacterial Activity In Vivo as Well as Other Beneficial Properties for Human Health.

The world is on the verge of a major antibiotic crisis as the emergence of resistant bacteria is increasing, and very few novel molecules have been discovered since the 1960s. In this context, scientists have been exploring alternatives to conventional antibiotics, such as ribosomally synthesized and post-translationally modified peptides (RiPPs). Interestingly, the highly potent in vitro antibacterial activity and safety of ruminococcin C1, a recently discovered RiPP belonging to the sactipeptide subclass, has been demonstrated.

The unusual structure of Ruminococcin C1 antimicrobial peptide confers clinical properties.

The emergence of superbugs developing resistance to antibiotics and the resurgence of microbial infections have led scientists to start an antimicrobial arms race. In this context, we have previously identified an active RiPP, the Ruminococcin C1, naturally produced by E1, a symbiont of the healthy human intestinal microbiota. This RiPP, subclassified as a sactipeptide, requires the host digestive system to become active against pathogenic Clostridia and multidrug-resistant strains.

Ruminococcin C, a promising antibiotic produced by a human gut symbiont.

A major public health challenge today is the resurgence of microbial infections caused by multidrug-resistant strains. Consequently, novel antimicrobial molecules are actively sought for development. In this context, the human gut microbiome is an under-explored potential trove of valuable natural molecules, such as the ribosomally-synthesized and post-translationally modified peptides (RiPPs).