Nisin-like biosynthetic gene clusters are widely distributed across microbiomes.

Bacteriocins are antimicrobial peptides/proteins that can have narrow or broad inhibitory spectra and remarkable potency against clinically relevant pathogens. One such bacteriocin that is extensively used in the food industry and with potential for biotherapeutic application is the post-translationally modified peptide, nisin. Recent studies have shown the impact of nisin on the gastrointestinal microbiome, but relatively little is known of how abundant nisin production is in nature, the breadth of existing variants, and their antimicrobial potency. Whether or not nisin production and immunity are widespread in gut microbiomes could be a deciding factor in determining the suitability of nisin as a prospective therapeutic for human and/or animal infections. Here, we used publicly available data sets to determine the presence of widespread and diverse nisin biosynthetic gene clusters (nBGCs) across the biosphere. We show that 30% of these nBGCs are predicted to be located on mobile genetic elements, with some found in pathogenic bacteria. Furthermore, we highlight evidence of horizontal gene transfer of nBGCs between genera, including