The microbiome-derived antibacterial lugdunin acts as a cation ionophore in synergy with host peptides.

Unlabelled: Lugdunin is a microbiome-derived antibacterial agent with good activity against Gram-positive pathogens and in animal models of nose colonization and skin infection. We have previously shown that lugdunin depletes bacterial energy resources by dissipating the membrane potential of . Here, we explored the mechanism of action of lugdunin in more detail and show that lugdunin quickly depolarizes cytoplasmic membranes of different bacterial species and acidifies the cytoplasm of within minutes due to protonophore activity.

Commensal production of a broad-spectrum and short-lived antimicrobial peptide polyene eliminates nasal Staphylococcus aureus.

Antagonistic bacterial interactions often rely on antimicrobial bacteriocins, which attack only a narrow range of target bacteria. However, antimicrobials with broader activity may be advantageous. Here we identify an antimicrobial called epifadin, which is produced by nasal Staphylococcus epidermidis IVK83.

Endosperm cell death promoted by NAC transcription factors facilitates embryo invasion in Arabidopsis.

In flowering plants, two fertilization products develop within the limited space of the seed: the embryo and the surrounding nutritive endosperm. The final size of the endosperm is modulated by the degree of embryo growth. In Arabidopsis thaliana, the endosperm expands rapidly after fertilization, but later gets invaded by the embryo that occupies most of the seed volume at maturity, surrounded by a single remaining aleurone-like endosperm layer.

Looking Competent Does Not Appeal to All Voters Equally: The Role of Social Class and Politicians' Facial Appearance for Voting Likelihood.

Voters generally value competence in politicians. Four studies, all conducted in Germany, show that this is especially pronounced in people of higher compared with lower social class. The first study, with a representative sample ( = 2239), found that the reported importance of competence in politicians increased with increasing socioeconomic status (SES).