Increases in permeability of Escherichia coli outer membrane induced by polycations.
The action of polycations (such as polylysine and compound 48/80) on Escherichia coli was studied with use of Ca2+, K+ and TPP+ ion-selective electrodes. Rapid efflux of Ca2+ was observed when a polycation was added in cell suspension. The polycation treatment promoted a drug-inducing K+ release from the cytoplasmic membrane. TPP+ uptake was also increased by addition of a polycation. Without the polycation treatment, the uptake of TPP+ was largely suppressed due to a permeability barrier of the outer membrane. The results show that a polycation disrupted the permeability barrier of the outer membrane.
D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D002412:Cations / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002463:Cell Membrane Permeability / Q000187:drug effects*; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000187:drug effects*; D011073:Polyamines; D000071228:Polyelectrolytes; D011107:Polylysine / Q000494:pharmacology; D011108:Polymers / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013696:Temperature
D002118:Calcium; D002412:Cations; D011073:Polyamines; D000071228:Polyelectrolytes; D011107:Polylysine; D011108:Polymers