Date of Award
Fall 2012
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science (MSc)
Department
Chemical Biology
Supervisor
Nathan Magarvey
Language
English
Committee Member
Michael G. Surette, Paul H. M. Harrison
Abstract
Nonribosomal peptides, polyketides, and fatty acids comprise a distinct subset of microbial secondary metabolites produced by similar biosynthetic methods and exhibit broad structural diversity with a high propensity for biological activity. Dedicated studies of these specific microbial small molecules have identified numerous potent actions towards human cells with many clinical translations. Interestingly, most therapeutically used nonribosomal peptides and polyketides were discovered from soil bacteria, meanwhile, bacteria that have co-evolved within a human context, the human microbiota, have barely been explored for secondary metabolites. The central goal of this thesis is to explore the secondary metabolome of human microbiota for nonribosomal peptides and polyketides, which are hypothesized to possess biological activities significant within the human host context. Candidate organisms were chosen for their established connections to human health and evidence suggestive of secondary metabolite production. Specifically, questions about gene to molecule prediction capability, metabolite production, structural diversity, and biological activity were explored from studies of the dental caries linked Streptococcus mutans UA159, from the probiotic Lactobacillus plantarum WCFS1, and the Crohn’s disease associated Faecalibacterium prausnitzii.
Recommended Citation
Lukenda, Nikola, "Exploring the Role of Nonribosomal Peptides in the Human Microbiome Through the Oral Commensal Streptococcus mutans, the Probiotic Lactobacillus plantarum, and Crohn’s Disease Associated Faecalibacterium prausnitzii" (2012). Open Access Dissertations and Theses. Paper 7274.
http://digitalcommons.mcmaster.ca/opendissertations/7274
McMaster University Library