ABSTRACT
Mersacidin (1) is a new peptide antibiotic containing beta-methyllanthionine. It is classified as a member of the proposed lantibiotic group of antibiotics, and is produced by a species of Bacillus. Mersacidin has a molecular weight of 1,824 (C80H120N20O21S4). The antibiotic is active against Gram-positive organisms including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, but has no activity against Gram-negative bacteria or fungi.
Subject(s)
Anti-Bacterial Agents , Anti-Bacterial Agents/isolation & purification , Bacillus/metabolism , Anti-Bacterial Agents/biosynthesis , Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology , Bacteriocins , Fermentation , Peptide Biosynthesis , Peptides/isolation & purification , Peptides/pharmacologyABSTRACT
L-Lysate induced macrophage membrane alteration was studied using 3 membrane markers: (i) Fc receptor, (ii) Concanavalin A (Con A) receptor, and (iii) M. leprae adherence to macrophage membrane. The data indicate that L-lysate induces membrane perturbation of normal macrophages. The alteration can be reversed with trypsin and colchicine. Membrane alteration observed may lead to defective macrophage participation in a cell-mediated immune reaction.