Gliotoxin-mediated bacterial growth inhibition is caused by specific metal ion depletion.

ABSTRACT: Overcoming antimicrobial resistance represents a formidable challenge and investigating bacterial growth inhibition by fungal metabolites may yield new strategies. Although the fungal non-ribosomal peptide gliotoxin (GT) is known to exhibit antibacterial activity, the mechanism(s) of action are unknown, although reduced gliotoxin (dithiol gliotoxin; DTG) is a zinc chelator. Furthermore, it has been demonstrated that GT synergises with vancomycin to inhibit growth of Staphylococcus aureus. Here we demonstrate, without precedent, that GT-mediated growth inhibition of both Gram positive and negative bacterial species is reversed by Zn²⁺ or Cu²⁺ addition. Both GT, and the known zinc chelator TPEN, mediate growth inhibition of Enterococcus faecalis which is reversed by zin

SUBMITTER: Downes SG 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10533825 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature