Abstract: Provided herein are genetically modified microbes. In one embodiment, a genetically modified microbe includes an exogenous polynucleotide that includes a pheromone-responsive region. In one embodiment, the pheromone-responsive region is derived from a conjugative plasmid from a member of the genus Enterococcus spp. The pheromone-responsive region includes a pheromone-responsive promoter and an operably linked coding region encoding an antimicrobial peptide. In one embodiment, a genetically modified microbe includes an exogenous polynucleotide that includes a promoter and an operably linked coding sequence encoding an antimicrobial peptide, where expression of the coding region is controlled by a modulator polypeptide and is altered by a modulating agent, and where the coding region encodes an antimicrobial peptide.

Abstract: Provided herein are genetically modified microbes. In one embodiment, a genetically modified microbe includes an exogenous polynucleotide that includes a pheromone-responsive region. In one embodiment, the pheromone-responsive region is derived from a conjugative plasmid from a member of the genus Enterococcus spp. The pheromone-responsive region includes a pheromone-responsive promoter and an operably linked coding region encoding an antimicrobial peptide. In one embodiment, a genetically modified microbe includes an exogenous polynucleotide that includes a promoter and an operably linked coding sequence encoding an antimicrobial peptide, where expression of the coding region is controlled by a modulator polypeptide and is altered by a modulating agent, and where the coding region encodes an antimicrobial peptide. Also provided herein are methods of using the genetically modified microbes, including methods for inhibiting growth of an Enterococcus spp., a pathogenic E. coli, or a pathogenic Salmonella spp.

Abstract: Provided herein are genetically modified microbes. In one embodiment, a genetically modified microbe includes an exogenous polynucleotide that includes a pheromone-responsive region. In one embodiment, the pheromone-responsive region is derived from a conjugative plasmid from a member of the genus Enterococcus spp. The pheromone-responsive region includes a pheromone-responsive promoter and an operably linked coding region encoding an antimicrobial peptide. In one embodiment, a genetically modified microbe includes an exogenous polynucleotide that includes a promoter and an operably linked coding sequence encoding an antimicrobial peptide, where expression of the coding region is controlled by a modulator polypeptide and is altered by a modulating agent, and where the coding region encodes an antimicrobial peptide. Also provided herein are methods of using the genetically modified microbes, including methods for inhibiting growth of an Enterococcus spp., a pathogenic E. coli, or a pathogenic Salmonella spp.

Abstract: Provided herein are genetically modified microbes. In one embodiment, a genetically modified microbe includes an exogenous polynucleotide that includes a pheromone-responsive region. In one embodiment, the pheromone-responsive region is derived from a conjugative plasmid from a member of the genus Enterococcus spp. The pheromone-responsive region includes a pheromone-responsive promoter and an operably linked coding region encoding an antimicrobial peptide. In one embodiment, a genetically modified microbe includes an exogenous polynucleotide that includes a promoter and an operably linked coding sequence encoding an antimicrobial peptide, where expression of the coding region is controlled by a modulator polypeptide and is altered by a modulating agent, and where the coding region encodes an antimicrobial peptide. Also provided herein are methods of using the genetically modified microbes, including methods for inhibiting growth of an Enterococcus spp., a pathogenic E. coli, or a pathogenic Salmonella spp.

Abstract: Provided herein are genetically modified microbes. In one embodiment, a genetically modified microbe includes an exogenous polynucleotide comprising a pheromone-responsive region. In one embodiment, the pheromone-responsive region is derived from a conjugative plasmid from a member of the genus Enterococcus spp. The pheromone-responsive region includes a pheromone-responsive promoter and an operably linked coding region encoding an antimicrobial peptide. In one embodiment, a genetically modified microbe includes an exogenous polynucleotide comprising a promoter and an operably linked coding sequence encoding an antimicrobial peptide, where expression of the coding region is controlled by a modulator polypeptide and is altered by a modulating agent, and where the coding region encodes an antimicrobial peptide. Also provided herein are methods of using the genetically modified microbes, including methods for inhibiting growth of an Enterococcus spp., a pathogenic E. coli, or a pathogenic Salmonella spp.

Abstract: Provided herein are genetically modified microbes. In one embodiment, a genetically modified microbe includes an exogenous polynucleotide comprising a pheromone-responsive region. In one embodiment, the pheromone-responsive region is derived from a conjugative plasmid from a member of the genus Enterococcus spp. The pheromone-responsive region includes a pheromone-responsive promoter and an operably linked coding region encoding an antimicrobial peptide. In one embodiment, a genetically modified microbe includes an exogenous polynucleotide comprising a promoter and an operably linked coding sequence encoding an antimicrobial peptide, where expression of the coding region is controlled by a modulator polypeptide and is altered by a modulating agent, and where the coding region encodes an antimicrobial peptide. Also provided herein are methods of using the genetically modified microbes, including methods for inhibiting growth of an Enterococcus spp., a pathogenic E. coli, or a pathogenic Salmonella spp.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the identification and use of a family of human complement C3-degrading proteinases expressed by S. pneumoniae. The proteinase has a molecular weight of about 24 kD to about 34 kD as determined on a 10% SDS polyacrylamide gel. A preferred proteinase of this invention includes the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2.