AUTHOR=Dreyer Jönike , Malan Antoinette P. , Dicks Leon M. T. 

TITLE=Bacteria of the Genus Xenorhabdus, a Novel Source of Bioactive Compounds

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Microbiology

VOLUME=9

YEAR=2018

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/microbiology/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2018.03177

DOI=10.3389/fmicb.2018.03177

ISSN=1664-302X

ABSTRACT=<p>The genus <italic>Xenorhabdus</italic> of the family Enterobacteriaceae, are mutualistically associated with entomopathogenic nematodes of the genus <italic>Steinernema.</italic> Although most of the associations are species-specific, a specific <italic>Xenorhabdus</italic> sp. may infect more than one <italic>Steinernema</italic> sp. During the <italic>Xenorhabdus–Steinernema</italic> life cycle, insect larvae are infected and killed, while both mutualists produce bioactive compounds. These compounds act synergistically to ensure reproduction and proliferation of the nematodes and bacteria. A single strain of <italic>Xenorhabdus</italic> may produce a variety of antibacterial and antifungal compounds, some of which are also active against insects, nematodes, protozoa, and cancer cells. Antimicrobial compounds produced by <italic>Xenorhabdus</italic> spp. have not been researched to the same extent as other soil bacteria and they may hold the answer to novel antibacterial and antifungal compounds. This review summarizes the bioactive secondary metabolites produced by <italic>Xenorhabdus</italic> spp. and their application in disease control. Gene regulation and increasing the production of a few of these antimicrobial compounds are discussed. Aspects limiting future development of these novel bioactive compounds are also pointed out.</p>