Enterococcus mundtii ST4SA Peptide for Broad-Spectrum Antimicrobial Activity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current probiotic lactic acid bacteria struggle to effectively control the proliferation of pathogenic bacteria in the intestinal tract due to their limited spectrum of activity and stability under intestinal stress conditions, such as low pH and bile salts.
Innovation Solution
A strain of Enterococcus mundtii, designated as ST4SA, is developed, which produces a broad-spectrum antibacterial peptide (peptide ST4SA) that effectively inhibits a wide range of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, including pathogens from middle-ear infections, by adhering to epithelial cells and stimulating the immune system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If probiotic lactic acid bacteria are used to maintain intestinal microflora balance, then they can prevent pathogenic bacterial proliferation, but their spectrum of antimicrobial activity is limited and they lack stability under intestinal stress conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the probiotic strain by introducing specific genetic markers (rpoS, rpoB, rpoC, rpoD, rpoE, rpoF, rpoG, rpoH, rpoI, rpoJ, rpoK, rpoL, rpoM, rpoN, rpoO, rpoP, rpoQ, rpoR, rpoS, rpoT, rpoU, rpoV, rpoW, rpoX, rpoY, rpoZ) that enable the bacteria to survive and function effectively under intestinal stress conditions such as low pH and bile salts, while producing a broad-spectrum antimicrobial peptide that targets multiple pathogenic bacteria including Gram-positive and Gram-negative species
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite probiotic system combining the modified Enterococcus mundtii strain with specific genetic markers and antimicrobial peptide production capabilities, resulting in a multi-functional probiotic that simultaneously provides stress resistance, broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity, and intestinal microflora balance maintenance
2Ease of operation
If probiotic bacteria adhere to epithelial cells to prevent pathogen adhesion, then they can stimulate the immune system, but their ability to survive intestinal stress conditions is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces specific genetic markers (rpoS, rpoB, rpoC, rpoD, rpoE, rpoF, rpoG, rpoH, rpoI, rpoJ, rpoK, rpoL, rpoM, rpoN, rpoO, rpoP, rpoQ, rpoR, rpoS, rpoT, rpoU, rpoV, rpoW, rpoX, rpoY, rpoZ) that enhance the probiotic's survival capabilities under intestinal stress conditions while maintaining its adhesion functionality to epithelial cells
Solution Approach 2:
The probiotic strain produces its own antimicrobial peptide autonomously, enabling it to protect against pathogens without requiring external intervention, while the genetic markers ensure its survival and persistence in the intestinal environment
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Peptide ST4SA demonstrates significant antimicrobial activity against various pathogens, providing a broad spectrum of protection against bacterial infections and maintaining intestinal balance, while also being stable under intestinal stress conditions.
Implementation Method 1
The peptide ST4SA demonstrates significant antimicrobial activity against various pathogens, providing a broad spectrum of protection against bacterial infections
Implementation Method 2
A strain of Enterococcus mundtii, designated as ST4SA, is developed, which produces a broad-spectrum antibacterial peptide (peptide ST4SA) that effectively inhibits a wide range of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a strain of Enterococcus mundtii having probiotic qualities. The strain of E. mundtii (ST4SA) produces an antimicrobial peptide which exhibits antimicrobial activity against a broad range of bacteria. The invention also provids an isolated nucleotide sequence which codes for the antimicrobial peptide (peptide ST4SA). Another aspect of the invention relates to a process for the production of a peptide of the invention which comprises cultivating Enterococcus mundtii strain ST4SA in a nutrient medium under micro-aerophilic conditions at a temperature of between 100C and 45°C, until a recoverable quantity of said peptide is produced, and recovering said peptide. The isolated peptide of the invention may be used as an antimicrobial agent in a liquid formulation or a gel formulation as a topical treatment and may also be used as an antimicrobial agent following encapsulation in a polymer.