Iron blocks the accumulation and activity of tetracyclines in bacteria.
The apparent sensitivities of several bacterial pathogens to tetracyclines varied by up to 128-fold with the medium content of Fe, but not of other metals. The effect of Fe was independent of superoxide dismutase activity and of intracellular Fe, but accumulation of tetracyclines was blocked in high-Fe medium. Thus, synergistic suppression of bacterial growth in the presence of a low Fe concentration and tetracyclines arises because of elevated antibiotic accumulation.
Avery
Angela M
AM
School of Biology, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD, United Kingdom.
Goddard
Helen J
HJ
Sumner
Edward R
ER
Avery
Simon V
SV
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001419:Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D003470:Culture Media; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D007501:Iron / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010118:Oxytetracycline / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000378:metabolism; D013754:Tetracyclines / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D003470:Culture Media; D013754:Tetracyclines; D007501:Iron; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase; D010118:Oxytetracycline