Lanthionine antibiotic compositions and methods
According to the present invention, an isolated and purified DNA sequence which encodes a lantibiotic, mutacin I, is disclosed. The nucleic acid sequence is set forth in SEQ ID No: 1 and the amino acid sequence is set forth in SEQ ID No: 2.
1. A method of treating or preventing a gram-positive infection in a subject, said method comprising administering to said subject an effective amount of a purified and isolated peptide having the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID No: 2, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, amide, ester, or prodrug thereof.
2. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the peptide is administered orally.
3. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the peptide is administered topically.
4. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the peptide is applied to a surface of a medical device.
5. A method according to claim 4 , wherein the medical device is a catheter.
6. A method according to claim 4 , further including the step of coating the medical device with the peptide prior to contacting the subject therewith.
7. A method according to claim 4 wherein said medical device is selected from the group consisting of: a tube, artificial valve, a pacemaker and an implantable device.
8. A method according to claim 4 further including the step of linking the peptide to a polymer prior to being applied to the surface of the medical device.
9. A method of treating or preventing an infection in a subject, said method comprising administering to said subject infected with or susceptible to a gram-positive bacterium selected from the genus consisting of Staphylococcus, Enterococcus , and Streptococcus pneumoniae an effective amount of a purified and isolated peptide having the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID No: 2, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, amide, ester, or prodrug thereof.
10. A method according to claim 9 , wherein the peptide is administered orally.
11. A method according to claim 9 , wherein the peptide is administered topically.
12. A method according to claim 9 , wherein the peptide is applied to a surface of a medical device.
13. A method according to claim 12 , wherein the medical device is a catheter.
14. A method according to claim 12 , further including the step of coating the medical device with the peptide prior to contacting the subject therewith.
15. A method according to claim 12 wherein said medical device is selected from the group consisting of: a tube, artificial valve, a pacemaker and an implantable device.
16. A method according to claim 12 further including the step of linking the peptide to a polymer prior to being applied to the surface of the medical device.
17. A method according to claim 9 wherein the gram-positive bacterium is multi-drug resistant.
18. A method according to claim 9 wherein the gram-positive bacterium is a Group A Streptococcus.
19. A method according to claim 9 wherein the gram-positive bacterium is an Enterococcus.
20. A method according to claim 9 wherein the gram-positive bacterium is a Streptococcus pneumoniae.