LANTIBASE

About Lantibiotics

The name Lantibiotics was introduced in 1988 as an abbreviation for "Lanthionine-containing peptide antibiotics" . In spite of this naming, Lantibiotics are not classed as antibiotics.One reason for this is that they are constructed ribosomally while antibiotics are constructed by enzyme action. The first structures of these antimicrobial agents were produced by pioneering work by Gross and Morell in the late sixties and early seventies, thus marking the formal introduction of Lantibiotics. Since then Lantibiotics such as Nisin have been used auspiciously for food preservation and have yet to encounter significant bacterial resistance. These attributes of lantibiotics have led to more detailed research into their structures and biosynthetic pathways.