Membrane depolarization kills dormant Bacillus subtilis cells by generating a lethal dose of ROS
Artikel i vetenskaplig tidskrift, 2024
The bactericidal activity of several antibiotics partially relies on the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which is generally linked to enhanced respiration and requires the Fenton reaction. Bacterial persister cells, an important cause of recurring infections, are tolerant to these antibiotics because they are in a dormant state. Here, we use Bacillus subtilis cells in stationary phase, as a model system of dormant cells, to show that pharmacological induction of membrane depolarization enhances the antibiotics’ bactericidal activity and also leads to ROS production. However, in contrast to previous studies, this results primarily in production of superoxide radicals and does not require the Fenton reaction. Genetic analyzes indicate that Rieske factor QcrA, the iron-sulfur subunit of respiratory complex III, seems to be a primary source of superoxide radicals. Interestingly, the membrane distribution of QcrA changes upon membrane depolarization, suggesting a dissociation of complex III. Thus, our data reveal an alternative mechanism by which antibiotics can cause lethal ROS levels, and may partially explain why membrane-targeting antibiotics are effective in eliminating persisters.
Författare
Declan Alan Gray
Göteborgs universitet
CARe
Newcastle University
Biwen Wang
Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences
Margareth Sidarta
CARe
Chalmers, Life sciences, Kemisk biologi
Fabián A. Cornejo
Max-Planck-Gesellschaft
Jurian Wijnheijmer
Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences
Rupa Rani
Chalmers, Life sciences, Kemisk biologi
CARe
Pamela Gamba
Charles River UK Ltd.
Newcastle University
K. Turgay
Max-Planck-Gesellschaft
Leibniz Universität Hannover
Michaela Wenzel
CARe
Chalmers, Life sciences, Kemisk biologi
Henrik Strahl
Newcastle University
Leendert W. Hamoen
Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences
Newcastle University
Nature Communications
2041-1723 (ISSN) 20411723 (eISSN)
Vol. 15 1 6877Antibiotika-inducerad frisättning av aminosyror: en ny strategi för antimikrobiell terapi?
Vetenskapsrådet (VR) (2019-04521), 2020-01-01 -- 2024-12-31.
Interaktion av antibiotika med bakterieceller
Chalmers, 2019-09-02 -- 2023-08-31.
Chalmers, 2024-01-01 -- 2026-12-31.
Ämneskategorier (SSIF 2025)
Molekylärbiologi
Cell- och molekylärbiologi
Cellbiologi
Mikrobiologi inom det medicinska området
Mikrobiologi
Genetik och genomik
Fundament
Grundläggande vetenskaper
Styrkeområden
Hälsa och teknik
Ämneskategorier (SSIF 2011)
Mikrobiologi
Mikrobiologi inom det medicinska området
DOI
10.1038/s41467-024-51347-0
PubMed
39128925