Antimicrobial activity of an iron triple helicate.
The prevalence of antibiotic resistance has resulted in the need for new approaches to be developed to combat previously easily treatable infections. Here we investigated the potential of the synthetic metallomolecules [Fe(2)L(3)](4+) and [Cu(2)(L')(2)](2+) as antibacterial agents. Both molecules have been shown to bind DNA; [Fe(2)L(3)](4+) binds in the major groove and causes DNA coiling, whilst [Cu(2)(L')(2)](2+) can act as an artificial nuclease. The work described here shows that only [Fe(2)L(3)](4+) is bactericidal for Bacillus subtilis and Escherichia coli. We demonstrate that [Fe(2)L(3)](4+) binds bacterial DNA in vivo and, strikingly, that it kills B. subtilis cells very rapidly.
Richards
Adair D
AD
Molecular Organisation and Assembly in Cells DTC, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK.
Rodger
Alison
A
Hannon
Michael J
MJ
Bolhuis
Albert
A
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001412:Bacillus subtilis / Q000187:drug effects; D003300:Copper / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D004247:DNA / Q000378:metabolism; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000187:drug effects; D005296:Ferrous Compounds / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D050296:Microbial Viability
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D005296:Ferrous Compounds; D003300:Copper; D004247:DNA