Calcium channel blockers inhibit bacterial chemotaxis.
The effect of several Ca2+ channel blockers, which inhibit the voltage-dependent Ca2+ uptake in Bacillus subtilis, on chemotactic behaviour of the bacterium was studied. Nitrendipine, verapamil, LaCl3 and omega-conotoxin were tested and these blockers inhibited chemotactic behaviour in the bacterium toward L-alanine. Among these blockers, omega-conotoxin was the most effective inhibitor of chemotaxis. EGTA was also as effective as omega-conotoxin. In contrast, these blockers, did not inhibit the motility and the growth of the bacterium. These results suggest that internal Ca2+ plays an important role in the sensory system of bacterial chemotaxis.
D001412:Bacillus subtilis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D002633:Chemotaxis / Q000187:drug effects*; D009068:Movement / Q000187:drug effects
D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers