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Antimicrobial activity of prodigiosin is attributable to plasma-membrane damage

Rahul K Suryawanshi1, Chandrashekhar D Patil1, Sunil H Koli1

  • 1a School of Life Sciences, North Maharashtra University , Jalgaon , India.

Natural Product Research
|June 30, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Prodigiosin, a bacterial pigment, acts as a hydrophobic stressor, disrupting microbial plasma membranes. This antimicrobial mechanism explains its effectiveness against pathogens like Candida albicans, Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Biochemistry
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Prodigiosin is a bacterial pigment with known biological activities, including antimicrobial properties.
  • Understanding the precise mechanism of action and cellular targets of prodigiosin is crucial for its therapeutic development.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the primary cellular targets of the bacterial pigment prodigiosin.
  • To elucidate the mode of action of prodigiosin against human microbial pathogens.

Main Methods:

  • Assessed the inhibitory effects of prodigiosin on the growth of Candida albicans, Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus.
  • Quantified the leakage of intracellular substances (K+ ions, amino acids, proteins, sugars) following prodigiosin treatment.
  • Determined the impact of prodigiosin on the activity of key enzymes (proteases, catalases, oxidases).
  • Observed changes in the surface morphology of pathogen cells exposed to prodigiosin.

Main Results:

  • Prodigiosin exhibited significant growth inhibition against all tested pathogens.
  • Prodigiosin induced substantial leakage of intracellular components, most notably from Staphylococcus aureus.
  • The pigment strongly inhibited the activity of proteases, catalases, and oxidases.
  • Surface damage was observed on Staphylococcus aureus cells, suggesting membrane disruption.

Conclusions:

  • Prodigiosin functions as a hydrophobic stressor rather than a direct toxin.
  • Its mode of action involves disrupting the plasma membrane through chaotropicity.
  • These findings provide a mechanistic basis for prodigiosin's antimicrobial activity.
Keywords:
Antimicrobial activitySerratia marcescensStaphylococcus aureuscompetitive interactionsmembrane leakagemicrobial pigment prodigiosinmode-of-action

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