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=Volume 9 - 2018

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=The genus Xenorhabdus of the family Enterobacteriaceae, are mutualistically associated with entomopathogenic nematodes of the genus Steinernema.  Although most of the associations are species-specific, a specific Xenorhabdus sp. may infect more than one Steinernema sp.  During the Xenorhabdus-Steinernema 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 Xenorhabdus 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 Xenorhabdus 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 Xenorhabdus spp. and points out areas for future research.