Membrane potential is vital for rapid permeabilization of plasma membranes and lipid bilayers by the antimicrobial peptide lactoferricin B.

ABSTRACT: Lactoferricin B (LfcinB) is a cationic antimicrobial peptide, and its capacity to damage the bacterial plasma membrane is suggested to be a main factor in LfcinB's antimicrobial activity. However, the specific processes and mechanisms in LfcinB-induced membrane damage are unclear. In this report, using confocal laser-scanning microscopy, we examined the interaction of LfcinB with single Escherichia coli cells and spheroplasts containing the water-soluble fluorescent probe calcein in the cytoplasm. LfcinB induced rapid calcein leakage from single E. coli cells and from single spheroplasts, indicating that LfcinB interacts directly with the plasma membrane and induces its rapid permeabilization. The proton ionophore carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone suppressed thi

SUBMITTER: Hossain F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6615671 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature