Inhibition of K88ab-mediated haemagglutination by polymyxin B nonapeptide.
The ability of the cyclic peptide polymyxin B nonapeptide (PMBN) to inhibit haemagglutination of erythrocytes by Escherichia coli bearing K88ab, K99 or F41 fimbriae was examined. The agent strongly inhibited K88ab-mediated haemagglutination, but had little or no effect on haemagglutination mediated by K99 or F41 fimbriae. Inhibition of K88ab-mediated haemagglutination did not result from release of fimbrial adhesins from the bacterial cell surface, nor from solubilization of K88ab receptors in erythrocytes. Since PMBN also prevented haemagglutination mediated by partially-purified K88ab fimbriae, the agent may directly obstruct access of fimbriae to their mammalian receptor binding sites.
Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine Sciences, University of Bristol, UK.
A M
AM
Matranga
B
B
Moore
P M
PM
Bennett
I
I
Chopra
D018830:Adhesins, Escherichia coli; D000818:Animals; D001425:Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000235:genetics* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D006384:Hemagglutination / Q000187:drug effects*; D006385:Hemagglutination Inhibition Tests; D007525:Isoelectric Focusing; D008358:Mannose / Q000494:pharmacology; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D010957:Plasmids; D011112:Polymyxin B / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology
D018830:Adhesins, Escherichia coli; D001425:Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins; C038934:polymyxin B nonapeptide; D011112:Polymyxin B; D008358:Mannose