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Biochemistry and Enzymology of Poly-Epsilon-l-Lysine Biosynthesis

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Amino-Acid Homopolymers Occurring in Nature

Part of the book series: Microbiology Monographs ((MICROMONO,volume 15))

Abstract

Streptomyces albulus NBRC14147 (previously named IFO14147) is known to produce the amino-acid homopolymer antibiotic, poly-ε-l-lysine (ε-poly-l-lysine, ε-PL), consisting of 25–35 l-lysine residues with a linkage between the α-carboxyl group and the ε-amino group. Because ε-PL exhibits antimicrobial activity against a wide spectrum of microorganisms, including Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, as well as antiphage activity, and because it is both safe and biodegradable, ε-PL has been introduced as a food preservative in Japan, South Korea, the United States, and other countries. This chapter covers the current knowledge and most recent advances in regard to the genetic system for S. albulus NBRC14147 and ε-PL synthetase.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Bioscience, Fukui Prefectural University, 4-1-1 Matsuoka-Kenjojima, Eiheiji-cho, Fukui, 910-1195, Japan

    Yoshimitsu Hamano

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  1. Yoshimitsu Hamano
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Correspondence to Yoshimitsu Hamano .

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  1. , Department of Bioscience, Fukui Prefectural University, Matsuoka-Kenjojima, Eiheiji-cho 4-1-1, Fukui, 910-1195, Japan

    Yoshimitsu Hamano

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Hamano, Y. (2010). Biochemistry and Enzymology of Poly-Epsilon-l-Lysine Biosynthesis. In: Hamano, Y. (eds) Amino-Acid Homopolymers Occurring in Nature. Microbiology Monographs, vol 15. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-12453-2_2

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