title: Antimicrobial activity of an iron triple helicate.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Molecular Organisation and Assembly in Cells DTC, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK.
authors.forename: Adair D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Richards
authors.forename: Alison
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rodger
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Hannon
authors.forename: Albert
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bolhuis
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D005296:Ferrous Compounds; D003300:Copper; D004247:DNA