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. 2010 Apr;6(4):261-3.
doi: 10.1038/nchembio.331. Epub 2010 Feb 28.

Symbiotic Streptomycetes provide antibiotic combination prophylaxis for wasp offspring

Johannes Kroiss  1 , Martin Kaltenpoth, Bernd Schneider, Maria-Gabriele Schwinger, Christian Hertweck, Ravi Kumar Maddula, Erhard Strohm, Ales Svatos
Affiliations

Symbiotic Streptomycetes provide antibiotic combination prophylaxis for wasp offspring

Johannes Kroiss et al. Nat Chem Biol. 2010 Apr.

Abstract

Beewolf digger wasps cultivate specific symbiotic bacteria (Streptomyces spp.) that are incorporated into the larval cocoon for protection against pathogens. We identified the molecular basis of this protective symbiosis in the natural context and demonstrate that the bacteria produce a 'cocktail' of nine antibiotic substances. The complementary action of all symbiont-produced antibiotics confers a potent antimicrobial defense for the wasp larvae that parallels the 'combination prophylaxis' known from human medicine.

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References

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