Bacillus subtilis produces surfactin, a powerful detergent-like compound that functions in intercellular communication, surface motility, and as a broad-spectrum antimicrobial agent. Production of surfactin, a cyclic lipopeptide, depends on a non-...

This study demonstrates that the production of surfactin by B. subtilis R31 needs to be balanced. Excessive surfactin will weaken the colonisation ability and disease control effect of the strain. By...

Non-ribosomal peptides (NRPs) are pharmaceutically important natural products that include numerous clinical drugs. However, the biosynthesis of these NRPs is intricately regulated and improving production through manipulation of multiple regulatory targets remains largely empirical. We here develop a screening-based, multi-target rational combination strategy and demonstrate its effectiveness in enhancing the titers of three NRP drugs ˗ daptomycin, thaxtomin A and surfactin. Initially, we devise a reliable colorimetric analog co-expression and co-biosynthesis reporter system for screening high-yielding phenotypes. Subsequently, through coupling CRISPR interference to induce genome-wide differential expression, we identify dozens of repressors that inhibit the biosynthesis of these NRPs. To address the challenge of multi-target combination, we further developed a dual-target screen approach and introduced an interplay map based on the synergy coefficient of each pairwise interaction. E

A study led by researchers at the University of Liège reveals the mechanism by which surfactin, a molecule produced by beneficial soil bacteria, activates plants' immune defenses.

A study led by researchers at the University of Liège reveals the mechanism by which surfactin, a molecule produced by beneficial soil bacteria, activates plants' immune defenses. This mechanism,…

Background The Bacillus genus is well known for producing structurally diverse lipopeptides, many of which exhibit remarkable surface-active and bioactive properties, such as surfactin and daptomycin....

Nitrogen is essential for crop productivity because it directly participates in the construction of proteins and nucleic acids. Associative diazotrophs convert N₂ into NH₄+, yet require root biofilms ...

This work unveils a non-canonical lipid-driven mechanism for plant immune activation by a bacterial lipopeptide. Perception at the cell membrane leads to deformation, mechanosensing and early signalli...

Gut Pathogens - Urban pigeons frequently carry zoonotic, antibiotic-resistant Staphylococcus spp. and are increasingly recognized as reservoirs of multidrug-resistant (MDR) gut pathogens with One...

A new study reveals the mechanism by which surfactin, a molecule produced by beneficial soil bacteria, activates plants’ immune defences. This mechanism, distinct from the classical paradigm of immune recognition, relies on direct interaction with the plant cell membrane. This discovery opens up prospects for the development of next-generation biopesticides.