Characterization and identification of weissellicin Y and weissellicin M, novel bacteriocins produced by Weissella hellenica QU 13

Abstract

Aims: To identify and characterize novel bacteriocins from Weissella hellenica QU 13. Methods and Results: Weissella hellenica QU 13, isolated from a barrel used to make Japanese pickles, produced two novel bacteriocins termed weissellicin Y and weissellicin M. The primary structures of weissellicins Y and M were determined, and their molecular masses were determined to be 4925·12 and 4968·40 Da, respectively. Analysis of the DNA sequence encoding the bacteriocins revealed that they were synthesized and secreted without N‐terminal extensions such as leader sequences or sec signal peptides. Weissellicin M showed significantly high and characteristic homology with enterocins L50A and L50B, produced by Enterococcus faecium L50, while weissellicin Y showed no homology with any other known bacteriocins. Both bacteriocins showed broad antimicrobial spectra, with especially high antimicrobial activity against species, which contaminate pickles, such as Bacillus coagulans, and weissellicin M showed relatively higher activity than weissellicin Y. Furthermore, the stability of weissellicin M against pH and heat was distinctively higher than that of weissellicin Y. Conclusions: Weissella hellenica QU 13 produced two novel leaderless bacteriocins, weissellicin Y and weissellicin M, and weissellicin M exhibited remarkable potency that could be employed by pickle‐producing industry. Significance and Impact of the Study: This study is the first report, which represents a complete identification and characterization of novel leaderless bacteriocins from Weissella genus.

Screening and Characterization of Novel Bacteriocins from Lactic Acid Bacteria

“…In addition to lacticins Q and Z, Weissella hellenica, isolated from Japanese Takana pickles, was found to produce new leaderless bacteriocins, weissellicins Y and M. 33) While their putative biosynthetic genes were obtained, their function, self-immunity and secretion or something else, remains to be clarified. Leaderless Fig.…”

“…As mentioned above, W. hellenica QU 13 produces two novel leaderless bacteriocins. 33) Enterococcus faecium WHE81, isolated from cheese, also produces two bacteriocins.…”

Biotransformation of major ginsenoside Rb1 to pharmacologically active ginsenoside Rg3 through fermentation by Weissella hellenica DC06 in newly developed medium

“…W. hellenica exhibits high antimicrobial activity by producing a bacteriocin called weissellicin that acts against pathogenic bacteria (Masuda et al, 2012). In this study we isolated W. hellenica DC06 from a well-known Korean fermented food kimchi that is generally produce from radish and cabbage and developed an economical medium for cultivation of W. hellenica by using cheap natural sources.…”

Antimicrobial antagonists against food pathogens: a bacteriocin perspective

“…A prime example relates to Weissella hellenica QU 13, isolated from a barrel in which Japanese pickles are fermented, which was found to produce two leaderless bacteriocins, weissellicin V, homologous to the class IId Enterocin L50A and L50B, and weisselicin M. In the latter case, it is notable that this novel broad spectrum class IId antimicrobial is effective against Bacillus coagulans, a known contaminant of pickle fermentations. Thus, strain QU 13 is a good example of a fermentationassociated isolate which has the potential to be employed to control an undesirable microbial contaminant [11]. Lactococcus garvieae is a pathogen affecting farmed and fresh fish from marine and freshwaters and is also considered an emerging zoonotic pathogen.…”