1.
Biochim Biophys Acta
; 1818(7): 1590-4, 2012 Jul.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-22387460
ABSTRACT
Indole is a bacterial signalling molecule that blocks E. coli cell division at concentrations of 3-5 mM. We have shown that indole is a proton ionophore and that this activity is key to the inhibition of division. By reducing the electrochemical potential across the cytoplasmic membrane of E. coli, indole deactivates MinCD oscillation and prevents formation of the FtsZ ring that is a prerequisite for division. This is the first example of a natural ionophore regulating a key biological process. Our findings have implications for our understanding of membrane biology, bacterial cell cycle control and potentially for the design of antibiotics that target the cell membrane.
Subject(s)
Cell Division/drug effects , Cell Membrane/drug effects , Escherichia coli Proteins/metabolism , Escherichia coli/metabolism , Indoles/pharmacology , Adenosine Triphosphatases/genetics , Adenosine Triphosphatases/metabolism , Bacterial Proteins/genetics , Bacterial Proteins/metabolism , Carbonyl Cyanide m-Chlorophenyl Hydrazone/pharmacology , Cell Membrane/metabolism , Cell Membrane/physiology , Cytoskeletal Proteins/genetics , Cytoskeletal Proteins/metabolism , Dose-Response Relationship, Drug , Escherichia coli/cytology , Escherichia coli/genetics , Escherichia coli Proteins/genetics , Flow Cytometry , Ion Transport/drug effects , Lipid Bilayers/metabolism , Luminescent Proteins/genetics , Luminescent Proteins/metabolism , Membrane Potentials/drug effects , Membrane Proteins/genetics , Membrane Proteins/metabolism , Microscopy, Fluorescence , Protein Transport/drug effects , Proton Ionophores/pharmacology
2.
Enferm. infecc. microbiol. clín. (Ed. impr.)
; 29(4): 320-320, abr. 2011.
Article
in Spanish
| IBECS
| ID: ibc-89410
3.
Enferm Infecc Microbiol Clin
; 29(4): 320, 2011 Apr.
Article
in Spanish
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-21339023