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Enterocin P causes potassium ion efflux from Enterococcus faecium T136 cells.
C Herranz1, L M Cintas, P E Hernández
1Departamento de Nutrición y Bromatología III, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Complutense, 28040 Madrid, Spain. cburgy@eucmax.sim.ucm.es
Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy
|February 22, 2001
Summary
Enterocin P, a bacteriocin from Enterococcus faecium, creates specific pores in bacterial cell membranes. These pores allow potassium ions to escape, leading to cell death.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Bacteriocin research
- Cellular mechanisms
Background:
- Enterocin P is a bacteriocin produced by Enterococcus faecium P13.
- Bacteriocins are antimicrobial peptides with diverse mechanisms of action.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the bactericidal mechanism of Enterocin P.
- To investigate the effects of Enterocin P on the cytoplasmic membrane of sensitive bacteria.
Main Methods:
- Studied Enterocin P's effect on transmembrane pH gradient and potential in Enterococcus faecium T136.
- Measured ion efflux (potassium, phosphate, glutamate) in response to Enterocin P.
Main Results:
- Enterocin P did not dissipate the transmembrane pH gradient.
- Enterocin P dissipated the transmembrane potential, dependent on buffer conditions.
- Enterocin P induced significant efflux of potassium ions, but not phosphate or glutamate.
Conclusions:
- Enterocin P forms specific pores in the cytoplasmic membrane.
- These pores are selective for potassium ion conduction.
- The formation of these pores is the primary mechanism of Enterocin P's bactericidal action.