title: Growth inhibition of Prevotella ruminicola by protamine.
abstract: Growth of Prevotella ruminicola strains B(1)4 (subsp. brevis) and D31d (subsp. ruminicola), was inhibited by protamine, a polycationic, low molecular mass protein. Results showed that protamine has a bacteriocidal effect when present in concentrations exceeding 30 micrograms ml-1. Protamine exerted its toxic effects by disrupting the outer membrane, which was demonstrated by: (i) an increased sensitivity to hydrophobic antibiotics (novobiocin and monensin) and (ii) release of the periplasmic enzyme alkaline phosphatase following short-term exposure to protamine. Although the concentrations of protamine inhibitory to P. ruminicola are relatively low, the effects of such a compound are probably too broad to permit its successful use in terms of manipulating ruminal proteolysis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Sciences, University of Nebraska, Lincoln 68583-0908, USA.
authors.forename: H M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Madeira
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Morrison
mesh_terms: D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase / Q000378:metabolism; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000187:drug effects; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D008985:Monensin / Q000494:pharmacology; D009675:Novobiocin / Q000494:pharmacology; D018720:Prevotella / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D011479:Protamines / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D011479:Protamines; D009675:Novobiocin; D008985:Monensin; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase