Complementary and overlapping selectivity of the two-peptide bacteriocins plantaricin EF and JK

Plantaricin EF and JK are both two-peptide bacteriocins produced by Lactoba cillus plantarum C11, The mechanism of plantaricin EF and JK action was stu died on L. plantarum 965 cells. Both plantaricins form pores in the membran es of target cells and dissipate the transmembrane electrical potential (De lta psi) and pH gradient (Delta pH). The plantaricin EF pores efficiently c onduct small monovalent cations, but conductivity for anions is low or abse nt. Plantaricin JK pores show high conductivity for specific anions but low conductivity for cations, These data indicate that L. plantarum C11 produc es bacteriocins with complementary ion selectivib, thereby ensuring efficie nt killing of target bacteria.