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Proteolytically activated antibacterial toxins...

Journal article

Proteolytically activated antibacterial toxins inhibit the growth of diverse gram-positive bacteria

Abstract

Many species of bacteria produce small-molecule antibiotics that enter and kill a wide range of competitor microbes. However, diffusible antibacterial proteins (ABPs) that share this broad-spectrum activity are not known to exist. Here, we report a family of proteins widespread in gram-positive bacteria that display potent antibacterial activity against a diverse range of target organisms. Upon entering susceptible cells, these ABPs …

Authors

Colautti J; Garrett SR; Whitney JC

Journal

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Vol. 122, No. 43,

Publisher

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences

Publication Date

October 28, 2025

DOI

10.1073/pnas.2505807122

ISSN

0027-8424

Associated Experts

John Whitney

Associate Professor, Faculty of Health Sciences

Labels

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)

Gram-Positive Bacteria Anti-Bacterial Agents Bacterial Toxins Proteolysis Bacterial Proteins Microbial Sensitivity Tests

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