title: Farnesol-Induced Disruption of the Staphylococcus aureus Cytoplasmic Membrane.
abstract: Farnesol, a sesquiterpene alcohol with an aliphatic carbon chain, inhibited the growth of Staphylococcus aureus and induced the leakage of potassium ions. We investigated the action of farnesol on the cytoplasmic membrane of S. aureus. No ion channels that would account for the loss of potassium ions were detected. Electron paramagnetic resonance measurements suggested that farnesol proceeds into the cytoplasmic membrane of S. aureus cells, where it induces the disordering and eventual disruption of the cytoplasmic membrane. This was supported by the result that the effects of farnesol decreased by the addition of carotenoid which was the stabilizing reagent for the lipid bilayer.
authors.affiliation: Showa Pharmaceutical University.
authors.forename: Yoshihiro
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Inoue
authors.forename: Naoko
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Togashi
authors.forename: Hajime
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hamashima
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D004578:Electron Spin Resonance Spectroscopy; D005204:Farnesol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008560:Membrane Fluidity / Q000187:drug effects; D011188:Potassium / Q000378:metabolism; D012964:Sodium / Q000378:metabolism; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D005204:Farnesol; D012964:Sodium; D011188:Potassium