An interdisciplinary research team led by the Leibniz-HKI in Jena has discovered a new group of bioactive natural substances in pathogenic bacteria of the genus Pandoraea that can influence the microbial balance in the human lung. The so-called pandorabactins enable the bacteria to deprive other microorganisms of vital iron. The results of the study were published in the journal Angewandte Chemie International Edition.

Pandoraea bacteria have been little researched to date, but are suspected of having a negative impact on the lung microbiome in patients with cystic fibrosis or sepsis. Iron is essential for bacteria as it plays a central role in enzymes and the respiratory chain. In the iron-poor environment of the human body, many microorganisms produce so-called siderophores, which bind iron and transport it into the cell. The research team identified a previously unknown gene cluster in Pandoraea that is responsible for the production of these siderophores – the pandorabactins.

Through targeted genetic and chemical analyses, it was possible to isolate two new natural substances, pandorabactin A and B, and to elucidate their structure. Laboratory tests have shown that pandorabactins inhibit the growth of other bacteria such as Pseudomonas, Mycobacterium and Stenotrophomonas by depriving them of iron. Analyses of sputum samples from the lungs of cystic fibrosis patients also showed that the presence of the corresponding gene cluster correlates with changes in the lung microbiome.

The discovery provides important insights into the survival strategies of Pandoraea bacteria and the complex competition for vital resources in the human body. It is still too early for medical applications, but the results could offer new approaches for the treatment of lung infections in the long term.

Original Paper:

Antibacterial Siderophores of Pandoraea Pathogens and Their Impact on the Diseased Lung Microbiota – Herzog – 2025 – Angewandte Chemie International Edition – Wiley Online Library

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