Elucidation of the Structure of Epidermin, a Ribosomally Synthesized, Tetracyclic Heterodetic Polypeptide Antibiotic

Abstract

A decosapeptide that is highly effective against acne has been isolated from a culture filtrate of Staphylococcus epidermidis Tü 3298 . The molecule contains four disulfide bridges derived from meso ‐lanthionine, β‐methyllanthionine, and the newly discovered amino acid S ‐(2‐aminovinyl)‐ D ‐cysteine. The structure elucidation was achieved by enzymatic and hydrolytic fragmentation and desulfurization with Raney nickel followed by sequence analysis.