Inhibition by Phospholipids of the Action of Synthetic Detergents on Bacteria

Baker, Zelma; Harrison, R.W.; Miller, Benjamin F.

doi:10.1084/jem.74.6.621

Cited by 85 publications

(23 citation statements)

References 14 publications

(8 reference statements)

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“…The experiments presented above are, to our knowledge, the first ones to indicate the reversibility of the antibacterial ("killing") effect of surface active cations. Baker, Harrison and Miller (1941) recently attempted reversal with phospholipids which, as they demonstrated inhibit the antibacterial effect of surface active cations when simultaneously applied to the bacteria. Their results were negative, possibly because the time of exposure of the bacteria to the toxic cation, 30 minutes, was too long or because the phospholipids are not powerful enough detoxicating agents.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Antibacterial Action of Surface Active Cations

Valko¹,

DuBois²

1944

J Bacteriol

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The antibacterial action of surface-active cations was reported by Hartmann and Kiigi (1928) on the basis of observations made by Doerr. Domagk (1935) gave a detailed description of the bacteriological properties of a very potent member of this group. Notwithstanding the considerable attention which these discoveries aroused, as shown by the number of investigations reported in the literature, apparently no attempt has been made to relate the antibacterial action of surface-active cations to that of other types of toxic cations.The observations on the reversibility of the antibacterial effect of the surfaceactive cations, and on the protective action on bacteria exerted by relatively harmless cations against the action of toxic cations, which are described in this paper, indicate that there is a close relationship between the antibacterial behavior of metallic and dye cations and that of surface-active cations. It appears that the basis for the antibacterial action of all these cations can be satisfactorily described in terms of a cationic exchange by the bacteria. It is not claimed that this concept explains the ultimate mechanism of the antibacterial action, but nevertheless it probably is a necessary step in this direction and makes possible the elimination of other proposals which have been put forward.The most striking example of the reversibility of the antibacterial action has been presented by Engelhardt (1922), although the reversibility of the action of mercuric chloride on bacteria was already known (Geppert, 1889; Siupfle alnd Miiller, 1920). Engelhardt demonstrated that Staphylococcus aureus remained viable after a two-hour exposure to 1 % mercuric chloride, when thereafter the poison was removed by washing. When hydrogen sulphide was used for detoxication, even the effects of a 72-hour exposure to 1 % mercuric chloride proved reversible. Similar results were obtained with anthrax spores.Simon and Wood (1914), adopted Ehrlich's conception of a combination between the antibacterial agent and some of the nutriceptors of the bacteria as the basis for the inhibiting action of basic dyes and assumed the existence of acidic groups in the structure of the bacterial organism with which the ammonium groups of the inhibiting dyes would unite. The cell dies, according to them, because a sufficient number of its nutriceptors have been thrown out of actioln, bringing about its starvation or inability to multiply.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Antibacterial Action of Surface Active Cations

Valko¹,

DuBois²

1944

J Bacteriol

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“…Autolysis of bacteria associated with treatment of cells in low and high concentrations of surface-active agents has been well established in previous studies. This phenomenon was reviewed by Dubos (1945), and Hotchkiss (1946) has contributed further information. The possibility of physical solubilization of cellular materials in bacteria + detergent studies has been suggested by the work of Stacey (1949).…”

Section: R J Saltonmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Adsorption of Cetyltrimethylammonium Bromide by Bacteria, its Action in Releasing Cellular Constituents and its Bactericidal Effects

Saltón

1951

Journal of General Microbiology

177

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SUMMARY: The form of the uptake curve of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) by Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli is that of an adsorption isotherm. Tested on six different bacteria, the maximum amounts of CTAB adsorbed showed variations from one organism to another.When cells of Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli or Salmonella pullorum are suspended in water, the ultra-violet spectrum of the supernatant liquid has a maximum absorption a t a wave-length of 260 mp. The height of this maximum is greatly increased when the cells are suspended in CTAB solutions instead of water. Free purines and pyrimidines contribute to this maximum.There is a parallel relationship between the leakage of 260 mp.-absorbing material, glutamic acid and inorganic phosphorus from two CTAB-treated Gram-positive bacteria, when their release is followed during the initial rapid phase of leakage. There is a similar relationship for Esch. coli, although no glutamic acid is released. Release of cell constituents from CTAB-treated Staph. aureus continues slowly for some time after the initial process and is accompanied by a decrease in dry weight of the cells and a gradual change from positive to negative in their Gram-staining reaction. The rate of release' of cellular constituents was increased by raising the temperature or by treatment with high concentrations of CTAB.Treatment of suspensions with sufficient CTAB to sterilize them released amounts of cell constituents comparable to those released by placing the cells in boiling water. When smaller amounts of CTAB were used, a quantitative relationship was found between the amount of CTAB present, the proportion of cells killed and the amount of 260 mp.-absorbing material released.

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“…Phosphatides of the lecithin type interfere with the antibacterial action of polymyxin (Bliss et al 1949), and in this respect polymyxin exhibits properties similar to those of the cationic detergents (Baker, Harrison & Miller, 1941). Rybak (1950) showed that insoluble complex formation takes place between polymyxin and serum albumin; a similar action also occurs with yeast ribonucleic acid (Latterade & Macheboeuf, 1950).…”

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confidence: 99%

The Absorption of Polymyxin E by Bacteria and Bacterial Cell Walls and its Bactericidal Action

Few

Schulman

1953

Journal of General Microbiology

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SUMMARY:Isotherms of the absorption of polymyxin E by Bacillus &tiZis, Ps~udomonas denitrifcans and Streptococcus faecdis after 20 min. contact with the antibiotic were determined. Tested on seven different bacteria, the maximum amounts of polymyxin E absorbed showed that the polpyxin-sensitive bacteria were capable of absorbing much greater quantities of the antibiotic than resistant organisms. When the bacteria were suspended in buffer solutions, the ultraviolet spectra of their supernatant fluids showed a maximum absorption at 260 mp. ; purines and pyrimidines contribute to this maximum. Addition of polymyxin E to suspensions of sensitive bacteria caused an immediate increase in the height of this maximum.Similar treatment of resistant organisms caused very little immediate increase in the amount of 260mp. absorbing material released. On prolonged incubation of untreated and polymyxin E treated cells there was a steady increase in the amount of 2 6 0~. absorbing cell solutes released into the suspension media. Within the pH range 44-7-6 no optimum pH value was found for the p01ymyx-h E absorption process or for the cellular release mechanism. The absorption isotherms of polymyxin E obtained with cell-wall preparations derived from sensitive and resistant bacteria showed that cell walk derived from sensitive organisms bound more polymyxin E than cell-wall preparations from resistant organisms. On treatment of sensitive bacteria with concentrations of polymyxin E less than those required for 99 yo killing in 20 min. at 2 5 O , there was a linear relationship between the amounts of 260 mp. absorbing material released and the percentage of cells killed. Complete saturation of sensitive organisms with the antibiotic was not necessary to kill the cells. The amounts of polymyxh E. required for 99.5 % killing corresponded closely to those suflicient for the formation of a closely packed monolayer within the bacterial cell wall. It is suggested that, i t these bactericidal concentrations, polymyxin E combines with and thereby disorganizes the structures responsible for the maintenance of osmotic equilibrium within the cell wall.

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Inhibition by Phospholipids of the Action of Synthetic Detergents on Bacteria

Abstract: Certain of the synthetic detergents exert a marked inhibitory effect on the metabolism (1) and viability (2) of bacteria. The germicidal action of these compounds and other biological effects have been studied by numerous investigators. 1

Cited by 85 publications

References 14 publications

The Antibacterial Action of Surface Active Cations

The Antibacterial Action of Surface Active Cations

The Adsorption of Cetyltrimethylammonium Bromide by Bacteria, its Action in Releasing Cellular Constituents and its Bactericidal Effects

The Absorption of Polymyxin E by Bacteria and Bacterial Cell Walls and its Bactericidal Action

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