Current Concepts of the Peptide Antibiotic Gramicidin S Biosynthesis

Gramicidin S is a cyclic decapeptide antibiotic produced by the soil bacterium Aneurinibacillus migulanus (formerly Bacillus brevis, Brevibacillus brevis), one of the first antibiotics ever discovered. In recent years, a revival of research interest was observed towards gramicidin S due to its unique properties: it does not cause the development of antibiotic resistance and has high efficacy against biofilms. This review examines current understanding of the structure, biological role, and antimicrobial mechanisms of gramicidin S. It also explores the biosynthetic pathways of gramicidin S, as well as the influence of cultivation parameters and nutrient medium components on its biosynthesis.