title: Assessing the Sporicidal Activity of Oligo-p-phenylene Ethynylenes and Their Role as Bacillus Germinants.
abstract: A wide range of oligo-p-phenylene ethynylenes has been shown to exhibit good biocidal activity against both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. While cell death may occur in the dark, these biocidal compounds are far more effective in the light as a result of their ability to sensitize the production of cell-damaging reactive oxygen species. In these studies, the interactions of a specific cationic oligo-p-phenylene ethynylene with spore-forming Bacillus atrophaeus and Bacillus anthracis Sterne have been investigated. Flow cytometry assays are used to rapidly monitor cell death as well as spore germination. This compound effectively killed Bacillus anthracis Sterne vegetative cells (over 4 log reduction), presumably by severe perturbations of the bacterial cell wall and cytoplasmic membrane, while also acting as an effective spore germinant in the dark. While 2 log reduction of B. anthracis Sterne spores was observed, it is hypothesized that further killing could be achieved through enhanced germination.
authors.affiliation: †The Nanoscience and Microsystems Engineering Program, University of New Mexico, 1 University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131-1341, United States.|‡Center for Biomedical Engineering, Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of New Mexico, 1 University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131-1341, United States.
authors.forename: Harry C
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Pappas
authors.affiliation: §Department of Internal Medicine, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, 1 University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131-1341, United States.
authors.forename: Julie A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Lovchik
authors.affiliation: ‡Center for Biomedical Engineering, Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of New Mexico, 1 University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131-1341, United States.
authors.forename: David G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Whitten
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001407:Bacillus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000648:ultrastructure; D001408:Bacillus anthracis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000648:ultrastructure; D002473:Cell Wall / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008027:Light; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011108:Polymers / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000819:agonists / Q000378:metabolism; D013171:Spores, Bacterial / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000648:ultrastructure
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents; D011108:Polymers; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; C473966:poly(phenylene ethynylene)