title: Lycopene-induced hydroxyl radical causes oxidative DNA damage in Escherichia coli.
abstract: Lycopene, which is a well-known red carotenoid pigment, has been drawing scientific interest because of its potential biological functions. The current study reports that lycopene acts as a bactericidal agent by inducing reactive oxygen species (ROS)-mediated DNA damage in Escherichia coli. Lycopene treatment elevated the level of ROS-in particular, hydroxyl radicals ((•)OH) -which can damage DNA in E. coli. Lycopene-induced DNA damage in bacteria was confirmed and we also observed cell filamentation caused by cell division arrest, an indirect marker of the DNA damage repair system, in lycopene-treated E. coli. Increased RecA expression was observed, indicating activation of the DNA repair system (SOS response). To summarize, lycopene exerts its antibacterial effects by inducing (•)OH -mediated DNA damage that cannot be ameliorated by the SOS response. Lycopene may be a clinically useful adjuvant for current antimicrobial therapies.
authors.affiliation: School of Life Sciences, BK 21 Plus KNU Creative BioResearch Group, College of Natural Sciences, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 702-701, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Wonyoung
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Dong Gun
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D002338:Carotenoids / Q000378:metabolism*; D059447:Cell Cycle Checkpoints / Q000187:drug effects; D004249:DNA Damage / Q000187:drug effects*; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics; D017665:Hydroxyl Radical / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D020287:In Situ Nick-End Labeling; D000077276:Lycopene; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects*; D013014:SOS Response, Genetics / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D017665:Hydroxyl Radical; D002338:Carotenoids; D000077276:Lycopene