Function
Lanthionine-containing peptide antibiotic (lantibiotic) active on Gram-positive bacteria. The bactericidal activity of lantibiotics is based on depolarization of energized bacterial cytoplasmic membranes, initiated by the formation of aqueous transmembrane pores. When present individually, LchA1 exhibits activity towards L.lactis HP. When combined with LchA2, it displays activity towards a broad spectrum of non-pathogenic and pathogenic Gram-positive bacteria including strains of L.monocytogenes, methicillin-resistant S.aureus, S.pneumoniae and strains of vancomycin-resistant enterococci, but not towards E.faecium L4001 and BM4147-1. Combined LchA1 and LchA2 peptides also inhibit Bacillus sp. HIL-Y85/54728, L.lactis DPC3417 and B.halodurans C-125, which produce lantibiotics themselves. Inactivated by proteinase K and pronase E, but not by trypsin and chymotrypsin.