Antibacterial agents and release of periplasmic pertussis toxin from Bordetella pertussis.
Pertussis toxin accumulates in the periplasm of Bordetella pertussis prior to secretion, and we examined its fate following treatment with antimicrobial agents. Both antibiotics that inhibit protein synthesis (erythromycin and chloramphenicol), transcription (rifampin), or cell wall biosynthesis (cefoperazone and piperacillin) and magnesium sulfate (which inhibits transcription of pertussis toxin, but not bacterial growth) did not prevent release of preformed toxin. In contrast, agents that affect bacterial membranes, such as polymyxin B, lidocaine, procaine, and ethanol, inhibited release of preformed pertussis toxin. These results suggest new protein synthesis is not required for pertussis toxin secretion, but a functional membrane complex is required.
Craig-Mylius
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Department of Molecular Genetics, Biochemistry, and Microbiology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio 45267-0524, USA.
Weiss
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D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001886:Bordetella pertussis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D002511:Cephalosporins / Q000494:pharmacology; D037342:Pertussis Toxin; D011112:Polymyxin B / Q000494:pharmacology; D011500:Protein Synthesis Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010566:Virulence Factors, Bordetella / Q000378:metabolism*
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D002511:Cephalosporins; D011500:Protein Synthesis Inhibitors; D010566:Virulence Factors, Bordetella; D037342:Pertussis Toxin; D011112:Polymyxin B