Violacein is a naturally-occurring bis-
indolepigment with
antibiotic (anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-fungal and anti-tumor) properties.[1][2][3][4] Violacein is produced by several species of
bacteria, including Chromobacterium violaceum, and gives these organisms their striking purple hues. Violacein shows increasing commercially interesting uses, especially for industrial applications in cosmetics, medicines and fabrics.
Biosynthesis
Violacein is formed by
enzymatic condensation of two
tryptophan molecules, requiring the action of five proteins. The genes required for its production, vioABCDE, and the regulatory mechanisms employed have been studied within a small number of violacein-producing strains.[2] Production of violacein is controlled by
quorum sensing using
acyl-homoserine lactones (AHLs).[5]
Violacein is known to have diverse biological activities, including as a
cytotoxic anticancer agent and antibacterial action against Staphylococcus aureus and other
gram-positive pathogens.[1][3][10][11] Determining the biological roles of this pigmented molecule has been of particular interest to researchers, and understanding violacein's function and mechanism of action is relevant to potential applications. Commercial production of violacein and related compounds has proven difficult so improving
fermentative yields of violacein is being pursued through
genetic engineering and
synthetic biology.[2]
References
^
abDurán N, Justo GZ, Durán M, Brocchi M, Cordi L, Tasic L, et al. (2016). "Advances in Chromobacterium violaceum and properties of violacein-Its main secondary metabolite: A review". Biotechnology Advances. 34 (5): 1030–1045.
doi:
10.1016/j.biotechadv.2016.06.003.
PMID27288924.
^
abcMyeong NR, Seong HJ, Kim HJ, Sul WJ (April 2016). "Complete genome sequence of antibiotic and anticancer agent violacein producing Massilia sp. strain NR 4-1". Journal of Biotechnology. 223: 36–37.
doi:
10.1016/j.jbiotec.2016.02.027.
PMID26916415.
^
abPark H, Park S, Yang YH, Choi KY (September 2021). "Microbial synthesis of violacein pigment and its potential applications". Critical Reviews in Biotechnology. 41 (6): 879–901.
doi:
10.1080/07388551.2021.1892579.
PMID33730942.
S2CID232304130.
Park H, Park S, Yang YH, Choi KY (September 2021). "Microbial synthesis of violacein pigment and its potential applications". Critical Reviews in Biotechnology. 41 (6): 879–901.
doi:
10.1080/07388551.2021.1892579.
PMID33730942.
S2CID232304130.