title: Bactericidal activity of catecholamine copper complexes.
abstract: Washed or growing E. coli cells are killed by epinephrine, norepinephrine or dopamine in the presence of non lethal concentrations of Cu(II). Killing is enhanced by anoxia and by sublethal concentrations of H2O2. The rate of killing is proportional to the rate of catecholamine oxidation. The copper epinephrine complex binds to E. coli cells, induces membrane damage and depletion of the cellular ATP pool. The cells may be partially protected by SOD or catalase but not by OH radical scavengers. Addition of H2O2 to cells which were sensitized by preincubation with the epinephrine-copper complex, causes rapid killing and DNA degradation. Sensitized cells are not protected by BSA.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Aronovitch
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Godinger
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Czapski
mesh_terms: D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate / Q000378:metabolism; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D002395:Catecholamines / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D003300:Copper / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000187:drug effects; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D002395:Catecholamines; D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D003300:Copper; D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate