Interaction between Polyamines and Bacterial Outer Membranes as Investigated with Ion-Selective Electrodes

• DOI: 10.1128/aac.46.4.1073-1079.2002
• Publication Date: 2002-07-27T09:59:40Z
• Authors: Takashi Katsu; Hideki Nakagawa; Keiko Yasuda
• Keywords: Polyamine

ABSTRACT We analyzed the interaction between polyamines and outer membrane of Escherichia coli cells using potentiometric measurements with Ca 2+ , tetraphenylphosphonium (TPP + ), K electrodes. The electrode was used to examine ability release from membrane. TPP permeabilize membrane, since uptake enhanced when permeability barrier disrupted. permeabilization in cytoplasmic by monitoring efflux cytosol. Although remarkably increasing number amino groups polyamines, no observed a simple structure, such as ethylenediamine, spermidine, spermine. appropriate lipophilic moieties were further attached three or four groups, indicating that existence bulky well is important induce permeabilization. Thus, 1-naphthylacetylspermine N,N ′-bis[6-[[(2-methoxyphenyl)methyl]amino]hexyl]-1,8-octanediamine (methoctramine) especially effective E. cells, being comparable polymyxin B nonapeptide, well-known cationic peptide showing action.