malacidin A

Malacidin A is a novel macrocyclic lipopeptide antibiotic discovered from soil bacteria using metagenomic screening techniques. It belongs to the calcium-dependent antibiotics (CDAs) family and exhibits potent bactericidal activity against Gram-positive bacteria, including multidrug-resistant pathogens such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Malacidin A acts by binding to Lipid II—a key precursor in bacterial cell wall biosynthesis—in a calcium-dependent manner. This binding prevents the incorporation of peptidoglycan subunits into the cell wall, disrupting synthesis and leading to bacterial cell death. Unlike other CDAs such as daptomycin or vancomycin, Malacidin A retains its activity against vancomycin-resistant strains and remains effective in the presence of pulmonary surfactants. The compound does not form pores or integrate into the bacterial membrane but instead targets late-stage intermediates in cell wall assembly[1][2][5][6][7].

Other names

malacidin Ametagenomic acidic lipopeptide antibiotic-cidin