Enterocin P causes potassium ion efflux from Enterococcus faecium T136 cells.
Enterocin P is a bacteriocin produced by Enterococcus faecium P13. We studied the mechanism of its bactericidal action using enterocin-P-sensitive E. faecium T136 cells. The bacteriocin is incapable of dissipating the transmembrane pH gradient. On the other hand, depending on the buffer used, enterocin P dissipates the transmembrane potential. Enterocin P efficiently elicits efflux of potassium ions, but not of intracellularly accumulated anions like phosphate and glutamate. Taken together, these data demonstrate that enterocin P forms specific, potassium ion-conducting pores in the cytoplasmic membrane of target cells.
Herranz
C
C
Departamento de Nutrición y Bromatología III, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Complutense, 28040 Madrid, Spain. cburgy@eucmax.sim.ucm.es
Cintas
L M
LM
Hernández
P E
PE
Moll
G N
GN
Driessen
A J
AJ
D000838:Anions / Q000378:metabolism; D001430:Bacteriocins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016984:Enterococcus faecium / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D017136:Ion Transport / Q000187:drug effects; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000187:drug effects; D011188:Potassium / Q000378:metabolism*
D000838:Anions; D001430:Bacteriocins; C417717:enterocin P; D011188:Potassium