Linearmycins

Linearmycins are lytic membrane-targeting antibiotics

The linearmycin family of polyketides was originally classified as antifungal metabolites. However, in addition to antifungal activity, we previously found that linearmycins cause cellular lysis and colony degradation of the Gram-positive bacterium …

A Link between Linearmycin Biosynthesis and Extracellular Vesicle Genesis Connects Specialized Metabolism and Bacterial Membrane Physiology

Specialized metabolites support bacterial competitive fitness as antibiotics, signals, pigments, and metal scavengers. Little is known about how specialized metabolites are processed and trafficked for their diverse competitive functions. …

Linearmycins Activate a Two-Component Signaling System Involved in Bacterial Competition and Biofilm Morphology

Bacteria use two-component signaling systems to adapt and respond to their competitors and changing environments. For instance, competitor bacteria may produce antibiotics and other bioactive metabolites and sequester nutrients. To survive, some …

Discovering Linearmycins in Bacterial Competition: Lysis, Autolysis, and Resistance

Throughout history, especially beginning in the mid-twentieth century, humans have adapted numerous specialized metabolites produced by microbes as therapeutics. Since their inception, antibiotics have been a powerful tool used in science and …

Escape from Lethal Bacterial Competition through Coupled Activation of Antibiotic Resistance and a Mobilized Subpopulation

Bacteria have diverse mechanisms for competition that include biosynthesis of extracellular enzymes and antibiotic metabolites, as well as changes in community physiology, such as biofilm formation or motility. Considered collectively, networks of …