Enterocin P causes potassium ion efflux from Enterococcus faecium T136 cells

Citation
C. Herranz et al., Enterocin P causes potassium ion efflux from Enterococcus faecium T136 cells, ANTIM AG CH, 45(3), 2001, pp. 901-904
Citations number
25
Categorie Soggetti
Microbiology
Journal title
ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS AND CHEMOTHERAPY
ISSN journal
00664804 → ACNP
Volume
45
Issue
3
Year of publication
2001
Pages
901 - 904
Database
ISI
SICI code
0066-4804(200103)45:3<901:EPCPIE>2.0.ZU;2-X
Abstract
Enterocin P is a bacteriocin produced by Enterococcus faecium P13, We studi ed the mechanism of its bactericidal action using enterocin-P-sensitive E, faecium T136 cells. The bacteriocin is incapable of dissipating the transme mbrane pH gradient. On the other hand, depending on the buffer used, entero cin P dissipates the transmembrane potential. Enterocin P efficiently elici ts efflux of potassium ions, but not of intracellularly accumulated anions like phosphate and glutamate, Taken together, these data demonstrate that e nterocin P forms specific, potassium ion-conducting pores in the cytoplasmi c membrane of target cells.