Characterization, N-terminal sequencing and classification of cerein MRX1, a novel bacteriocin purified from a newly isolated bacterium: Bacillus cereus MRX1

To purify and characterize the bacteriocin produced by strain MRX1. A bacteriocin-producing strain was isolated and identified as Bacillus cereus. The bacteriocin, called cerein MRX1, was purified from the culture supernatant using hydrophobic interaction, cation-exchange chromatography and RP-HPLC. It could also be purified in abundance from the cell surfaces of the producer strain. Mass spectrometry revealed its molecular mass of 3137·93 Da. Sequencing of chemically modified bacteriocin identified its partial sequence: DWTCWSCLVCAACSVELL. Amino acid analysis, confirmed by ¹H-NMR, suggested cerein MRX1 to be a class II bacteriocin. This bacteriocin was remarkably hydrophobic, heat-stable and could withstand a wide range of pH. It exhibited a bactericidal mode of action against Bacillus coagulans JCM 2257T. Cerein MRX1 was especially active against spoilage bacteria such as Bacillus subtilis and Listeria innocua (MICs in the 1 μg ml⁻¹ range). In contrast, lactic acid bacteria were resistant or required higher concentrations to be inhibited. Cerein MRX1 is similar by its N-terminal sequence to thuricin 17 recently isolated from Bacillus thuringiensis NEB17. However, the two bacteriocins are different by their molecular masses and amino acid compositions. Chemical stability of cerein MRX1 and its ability to inhibit a large number of undesirable bacteria may give an advantage to its food or clinical application as an antibacterial agent.