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Microcin E492 antibacterial activity: evidence for a TonB‐dependent inner membrane permeabilization on Escherichia coli
Author(s) -
DestoumieuxGarzón Delphine,
Thomas Xavier,
Santamaria Mónica,
Goulard Christophe,
Barthélémy Michel,
Boscher Bénédicte,
Bessin Yannick,
Molle Gérard,
Pons AnneMarie,
Letellier Lucienne,
Peduzzi Jean,
Rebuffat Sylvie
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
molecular microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.857
H-Index - 247
eISSN - 1365-2958
pISSN - 0950-382X
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-2958.2003.03610.x
Subject(s) - biology , escherichia coli , escherichia coli proteins , microbiology and biotechnology , inner membrane , enterobacteriaceae , membrane , biochemistry , gene
Summary The mechanism of action of microcin E492 (MccE492) was investigated for the first time in live bacteria. MccE492 was expressed and purified to homogeneity through an optimized large‐scale procedure. Highly purified MccE492 showed potent antibacterial activity at minimal inhibitory concentrations in the range of 0.02–1.2 µM. The microcin bactericidal spectrum of activity was found to be restricted to Enterobacteriaceae and specifically directed against Escherichia and Salmonella species. Isogenic bacteria that possessed mutations in membrane proteins, particularly of the TonB–ExbB–ExbD complex, were assayed. The microcin bactericidal activity was shown to be TonB‐ and energy‐dependent, supporting the hypothesis that the mechanism of action is receptor mediated. In addition, MccE492 depolarized and permeabilized the E. coli cytoplasmic membrane. The membrane depolarization was TonB dependent. From this study, we propose that MccE492 is recognized by iron‐siderophore receptors, including FepA, which promote its import across the outer membrane via a TonB‐ and energy‐dependent pathway. MccE492 then inserts into the inner membrane, whereupon the potential becomes destabilized by pore formation. Because cytoplasmic membrane permeabilization of MccE492 occurs beneath the threshold of the bactericidal concentration and does not result in cell lysis, the cytoplasmic membrane is not hypothesized to be the sole target of MccE492.