RESUMO
Microcin J25 (MccJ25), an antimicrobial peptide, targets the respiratory chain but the exact mechanism by which it does so remains unclear. Here, we reveal that MccJ25 is able to inhibit the enzymatic activity of the isolated cytochrome bd-I from E. coli and induces at the same time production of reactive oxygen species. MccJ25 behaves as a dose-dependent weak inhibitor. Intriguingly, MccJ25 is capable of producing a change in the oxidation state of cytochrome bd-I causing its partial reduction in the presence of cyanide. These effects are specific for cytochrome bd-I, since the peptide is not able to act on purified cytochrome bo3.
Assuntos
Antibacterianos/farmacologia , Bacteriocinas/farmacologia , Citocromos/metabolismo , Complexo de Proteínas da Cadeia de Transporte de Elétrons/metabolismo , Proteínas de Escherichia coli/metabolismo , Escherichia coli/enzimologia , Oxirredutases/antagonistas & inibidores , Oxirredutases/metabolismo , Cianetos/farmacologia , Grupo dos Citocromos b , Citocromos/antagonistas & inibidores , Citocromos/genética , Complexo de Proteínas da Cadeia de Transporte de Elétrons/antagonistas & inibidores , Complexo de Proteínas da Cadeia de Transporte de Elétrons/genética , Escherichia coli/efeitos dos fármacos , Proteínas de Escherichia coli/antagonistas & inibidores , Proteínas de Escherichia coli/genética , Oxirredução , Oxirredutases/genética , Espécies Reativas de Oxigênio/metabolismoRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Metal tolerance in bacteria has been related to polyP in a model in which heavy metals stimulate the polymer hydrolysis, forming metal-phosphate complexes that are exported. As previously described in our laboratory, Escherichia coli cells grown in media containing a phosphate concentration >37 mM maintained an unusually high polyphosphate (polyP) level in stationary phase. The aim of the present work was to evaluate the influence of polyP levels as the involvement of low-affinity inorganic phosphate transport (Pit) system in E. coli copper tolerance. RESULTS: PolyP levels were modulated by the media phosphate concentration and/or using mutants in polyP metabolism. Stationary phase wild-type cells grown in high phosphate medium were significantly more tolerant to copper than those grown in sufficient phosphate medium. Copper addition to tolerant cells induced polyP degradation by PPX (an exopolyphosphatase), phosphate efflux and membrane polarization. ppk-ppx- (unable to synthesize/degrade polyP), ppx- (unable to degrade polyP) and Pit system mutants were highly sensitive to metal even in high phosphate media. In exponential phase, CopA and polyP-Pit system would act simultaneously to detoxify the metal or one could be sufficient to safeguard the absence of the other. CONCLUSIONS: Our results support a mechanism for copper detoxification in exponential and stationary phases of E. coli, involving Pit system and degradation of polyP. Data reflect the importance of the environmental phosphate concentration in the regulation of the microbial physiological state.
