Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
7.3
4.3
Journals
Antibiotics
Special Issues
Alternatives to Antibiotics: Bacteriocins and Antimicrobial Peptides, 2nd Edition
share announcement

Alternatives to Antibiotics: Bacteriocins and Antimicrobial Peptides, 2nd Edition

A special issue of Antibiotics (ISSN 2079-6382).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 June 2023) | Viewed by 12595

Special Issue Editor

Dr. João Vilares Neves

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (i3S), Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
Interests: antimicrobial peptides; hepcidin; antibiotic resistance; iron metabolism; iron overload; anemia; erythropoiesis; innate immunity; fish immunology; bacterial, viral and parasitic diseases
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The success of our Special Issue "Alternatives to Antibiotics: Bacteriocins and Antimicrobial Peptides" encouraged us to open a second volume on the same topic.

As a continuation of the Special Issue published in 2021, this second volume will welcome manuscript submissions on all aspects of antibacterial peptides and bacteriocins, both old and new, and on how they can contribute to further benefiting human and veterinary health. Original research manuscripts, short communications, and reviews are welcomed.

Dr. João Vilares Neves
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Antibiotics is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • antimicrobial peptides
  • bacteriocins
  • antimicrobial resistance
  • antibiotics
  • infectious diseases
  • human health
  • veterinary health

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • e-Book format: Special Issues with more than 10 articles can be published as dedicated e-books, ensuring wide and rapid dissemination.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue polices can be found here.

Published Papers (5 papers)

Download All Papers
Order results
Result details
Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

Jump to: Review

17 pages, 3978 KiB  
Article
Molecular Cloning, Expression Analyses, and Physiological Roles of Cathelicidins in the Bursa of Fabricius of the Japanese Quail, Coturnix japonica
by Takumi Ikeda, Hirotada Kondo, Daiki Nunomura, Genki Sato, Machi Ito, Nanako Yamanaka, Shawichi Iwamuro, Itaru Hasunuma, Sakae Kikuyama and Tetsuya Kobayashi
Antibiotics 2023, 12(8), 1341; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics12081341 - 19 Aug 2023
Viewed by 1314
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) act directly on pathogens and maintain the anti-inflammatory effects and activation of immunocompetent cells. Therefore, the activation of the immune system in poultry via the elevation of endogenous AMPs has been attempted. In this study, we focused on the host [...] Read more.
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) act directly on pathogens and maintain the anti-inflammatory effects and activation of immunocompetent cells. Therefore, the activation of the immune system in poultry via the elevation of endogenous AMPs has been attempted. In this study, we focused on the host defense mechanisms in the bursa of Fabricius (BF) of Japanese quail, cloned the cDNA of cathelicidin (CATH)-1 to -3, and analyzed their expression sites. In situ hybridization experiments revealed the mRNA expression of the CATHs in the interfollicular epithelium surrounding the lumen of the quail BF, which suggests that each CATH may exert its antimicrobial action directly in the BF. The intravenous injection of bacterial lipoteichoic acid and lipopolysaccharide endotoxins into the quail promoted the mRNA expression of CATH-1 and CATH-3 in the BF. The addition of CATH-1 or CATH-2 at the time of the antigen injection into mice resulted in antiserum with high antibody titers. Ad libitum administration of butyrate, a short-chain fatty acid, in the drinking water induced an increase in CATH-2 mRNA expression in the BF under certain conditions. These results may improve the defense mechanisms of quail by stimulating CATH expression in the BF through their diet. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Alternatives to Antibiotics: Bacteriocins and Antimicrobial Peptides, 2nd Edition)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

12 pages, 3926 KiB  
Article
Antimicrobial and Antibiofilm Effect of Bacteriocin-Producing Pediococcus inopinatus K35 Isolated from Kimchi against Multidrug-Resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa
by Eun-Ji Yi and Ae-Jung Kim
Antibiotics 2023, 12(4), 676; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics12040676 - 30 Mar 2023
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2934
Abstract
Background: Recently, the emergence of multidrug-resistant bacteria due to the misuse of antibiotics has attracted attention as a global public health problem. Many studies have found that fermented foods are good sources of probiotics that are beneficial to the human immune system. Therefore, [...] Read more.
Background: Recently, the emergence of multidrug-resistant bacteria due to the misuse of antibiotics has attracted attention as a global public health problem. Many studies have found that fermented foods are good sources of probiotics that are beneficial to the human immune system. Therefore, in this study, we tried to find a substance for the safe alternative treatment of multidrug-resistant bacterial infection in kimchi, a traditional fermented food from Korea. Method: Antimicrobial activity and antibiofilm activity were assessed against multidrug-resistant (MDR) Pseudomonas aeruginosa using cell-free supernatants of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) isolated from kimchi. Then, UPLC-QTOF-MS analysis was performed to detect the substances responsible for the antimicrobial effect. Results: The cell-free supernatant (CFS) of strain K35 isolated from kimchi effectively inhibited the growth of MDR P. aeruginosa. Similarly, CFS from strain K35 combined with P. aeruginosa co-cultures produced significant inhibition of biofilm formation upon testing. On the basis of 16s rRNA gene sequence similarity, strain K35 was identified as Pediococcus inopinatus. As a result of UPLC-QTOF-MS analysis of the CFS of P. inopinatus K35, curacin A and pediocin A were detected. Conclusion: As a result of this study, it was confirmed that P. inopinatus isolated from kimchi significantly reduced MDR P. aeruginosa growth and biofilm formation. Therefore, kimchi may emerge as a potential source of bacteria able to help manage diseases associated with antibiotic-resistant infections. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Alternatives to Antibiotics: Bacteriocins and Antimicrobial Peptides, 2nd Edition)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Review

Jump to: Research

29 pages, 6586 KiB  
Review
Phosphoethanolamine Transferases as Drug Discovery Targets for Therapeutic Treatment of Multi-Drug Resistant Pathogenic Gram-Negative Bacteria
by Van C. Thai, Keith A. Stubbs, Mitali Sarkar-Tyson and Charlene M. Kahler
Antibiotics 2023, 12(9), 1382; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics12091382 - 29 Aug 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2049
Abstract
Antibiotic resistance caused by multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria is a major challenge to global public health. Polymyxins are increasingly being used as last-in-line antibiotics to treat MDR Gram-negative bacterial infections, but resistance development renders them ineffective for empirical therapy. The main mechanism that bacteria [...] Read more.
Antibiotic resistance caused by multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria is a major challenge to global public health. Polymyxins are increasingly being used as last-in-line antibiotics to treat MDR Gram-negative bacterial infections, but resistance development renders them ineffective for empirical therapy. The main mechanism that bacteria use to defend against polymyxins is to modify the lipid A headgroups of the outer membrane by adding phosphoethanolamine (PEA) moieties. In addition to lipid A modifying PEA transferases, Gram-negative bacteria possess PEA transferases that decorate proteins and glycans. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the function, structure, and mechanism of action of PEA transferases identified in pathogenic Gram-negative bacteria. It also summarizes the current drug development progress targeting this enzyme family, which could reverse antibiotic resistance to polymyxins to restore their utility in empiric therapy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Alternatives to Antibiotics: Bacteriocins and Antimicrobial Peptides, 2nd Edition)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

22 pages, 3896 KiB  
Review
Evaluating the Translational Potential of Bacteriocins as an Alternative Treatment for Staphylococcus aureus Infections in Animals and Humans
by Lauren R. Heinzinger, Aaron R. Pugh, Julie A. Wagner and Michael Otto
Antibiotics 2023, 12(8), 1256; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics12081256 - 30 Jul 2023
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2580
Abstract
Antibiotic resistance remains a global threat to human and animal health. Staphylococcus aureus is an opportunistic pathogen that causes minor to life-threatening infections. The widespread use of antibiotics in the clinical, veterinary, and agricultural setting combined with the increasing prevalence of antibiotic-resistant S. [...] Read more.
Antibiotic resistance remains a global threat to human and animal health. Staphylococcus aureus is an opportunistic pathogen that causes minor to life-threatening infections. The widespread use of antibiotics in the clinical, veterinary, and agricultural setting combined with the increasing prevalence of antibiotic-resistant S. aureus strains makes it abundantly clear that alternatives to antibiotics are urgently needed. Bacteriocins represent one potential alternative therapeutic. They are antimicrobial peptides that are produced by bacteria that are generally nontoxic and have a relatively narrow target spectrum, and they leave many commensals and most mammalian cells unperturbed. Multiple studies involving bacteriocins (e.g., nisin, epidermicin, mersacidin, and lysostaphin) have demonstrated their efficacy at eliminating or treating a wide variety of S. aureus infections in animal models. This review provides a comprehensive and updated evaluation of animal studies involving bacteriocins and highlights their translational potential. The strengths and limitations associated with bacteriocin treatments compared with traditional antibiotic therapies are evaluated, and the challenges that are involved with implementing novel therapeutics are discussed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Alternatives to Antibiotics: Bacteriocins and Antimicrobial Peptides, 2nd Edition)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

25 pages, 7985 KiB  
Review
From Gene to Transcript and Peptide: A Deep Overview on Non-Specific Lipid Transfer Proteins (nsLTPs)
by Carlos André dos Santos-Silva, José Ribamar Costa Ferreira-Neto, Vinícius Costa Amador, João Pacífico Bezerra-Neto, Lívia Maria Batista Vilela, Eliseu Binneck, Mireli de Santana Rêgo, Manassés Daniel da Silva, Ana Luiza Trajano Mangueira de Melo, Rahisa Helena da Silva and Ana Maria Benko-Iseppon
Antibiotics 2023, 12(5), 939; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics12050939 - 21 May 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2706
Abstract
Non-specific lipid transfer proteins (nsLTPs) stand out among plant-specific peptide superfamilies due to their multifaceted roles in plant molecular physiology and development, including their protective functions against pathogens. These antimicrobial agents have demonstrated remarkable efficacy against bacterial and fungal pathogens. The discovery of [...] Read more.
Non-specific lipid transfer proteins (nsLTPs) stand out among plant-specific peptide superfamilies due to their multifaceted roles in plant molecular physiology and development, including their protective functions against pathogens. These antimicrobial agents have demonstrated remarkable efficacy against bacterial and fungal pathogens. The discovery of plant-originated, cysteine-rich antimicrobial peptides such as nsLTPs has paved the way for exploring the mentioned organisms as potential biofactories for synthesizing antimicrobial compounds. Recently, nsLTPs have been the focus of a plethora of research and reviews, providing a functional overview of their potential activity. The present work compiles relevant information on nsLTP omics and evolution, and it adds meta-analysis of nsLTPs, including: (1) genome-wide mining in 12 plant genomes not studied before; (2) latest common ancestor analysis (LCA) and expansion mechanisms; (3) structural proteomics, scrutinizing nsLTPs’ three-dimensional structure/physicochemical characteristics in the context of nsLTP classification; and (4) broad nsLTP spatiotemporal transcriptional analysis using soybean as a study case. Combining a critical review with original results, we aim to integrate high-quality information in a single source to clarify unexplored aspects of this important gene/peptide family. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Alternatives to Antibiotics: Bacteriocins and Antimicrobial Peptides, 2nd Edition)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
 
Displaying articles 1-5
Back to TopTop