A bacterium produces a contact-dependent antibiotic molecule

Although everyone knows about antibiotics, which we take to tackle bacterial infections, we tend not to realize that some bacteria are capable of producing antibiotics themselves! This is the case for some particularly virulent strains of the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes, which causes listeriosis. These strains are capable of producing a peptide, Listeriolysin S, which has antibiotic properties. However, Listeria monocytogenes does not release the molecule in its environment; it only uses it when it comes into contact with other bacteria.

Find out more