Chemiosmotic mechanism of antimicrobial activity of Ag(+) in Vibrio cholerae.
Although the antimicrobial effects of silver salts were noticed long ago, the molecular mechanism of the bactericidal action of Ag(+) in low concentrations has not been elucidated. Here, we show that low concentrations of Ag(+) induce a massive proton leakage through the Vibrio cholerae membrane, which results in complete deenergization and, with a high degree of probability, cell death.
Department of Microbiology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3T 2N2, Canada.
Pavel
P
Dibrov
Judith
J
Dzioba
Khoosheh K
KK
Gosink
Claudia C
CC
Häse
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000378:metabolism; D004352:Drug Resistance, Microbial; D042967:Electron Transport Complex I; D009154:Mutation / Q000235:genetics; D009247:NADH, NADPH Oxidoreductases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D009995:Osmosis; D011522:Protons; D012834:Silver / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014734:Vibrio cholerae / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D011522:Protons; D012834:Silver; D009247:NADH, NADPH Oxidoreductases; D042967:Electron Transport Complex I