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Antimicrobial actions of hexachlorophene: release of cytoplasmic materials
Abstract:
Intracellular solutes were released from growing or resting cells of Bacillus megaterium as a consequence of hexachlorophene treatment. The effect was dose dependent, with the optimum at a concentration about sevenfold greater than the minimal lethal dose. The effects of pH and temperature on the leakage process also were inconsistent with the killing effects of the drug. The types of materials released appeared to be the same with or without hexachlorophene treatment. The released materials were small molecules which apparently derived from preexisting ribonucleic acid and protein, but not from deoxyribonucleic acid. Compared to the effects of other representative surface-active agents and other bis-phenols, hexachlorophene was superior in ability to cause leakage of intracellular materials. Different microorganisms varied in their susceptibility to hexachlorophene, with Pseudomonas aeruginosa and a paracolon isolate the most resistant of the vegetative cells examined. It was concluded that the release of intracellular solutes was an effect secondary to the lethal event and presumably arose from hexachlorophene-mediated stimulation of degradative enzymes.
Insights
Hexachlorophene causes the release of intracellular solutes from Bacillus megaterium cells. This leakage, a secondary effect of cell death, is linked to enzyme stimulation.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Hexachlorophene is a bis-phenol compound with antimicrobial properties.
- Understanding its mechanism of action is crucial for antimicrobial development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of hexachlorophene on intracellular solute release in Bacillus megaterium.
- To compare hexachlorophene's leakage-inducing properties with other agents.
Main Methods:
- Treatment of Bacillus megaterium cells with varying concentrations of hexachlorophene.
- Analysis of released intracellular materials.
- Comparison of hexachlorophene with other surface-active agents and bis-phenols.
Main Results:
- Hexachlorophene treatment induced dose-dependent release of intracellular solutes.
- Released solutes were small molecules derived from RNA and protein, not DNA.
- Hexachlorophene was more effective at causing leakage than other tested agents.
- Microbial susceptibility to hexachlorophene varied, with Pseudomonas aeruginosa being resistant.
Conclusions:
- Intracellular solute release is a secondary effect of hexachlorophene-induced cell death.
- The leakage is likely mediated by hexachlorophene-stimulated degradative enzymes.