Modification of membrane sulfhydryl groups in bacteriostatic action of nitrite

Journal Article · Thu Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1987 · Appl. Environ. Microbiol.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6859892

Buchman, III, G W; Hansen, J N

The mechanism by which nitrite inhibits outgrowing spores of bacillus cereus T was examined by using techniques developed earlier for nitrite analogs. The morphological stage of inhibition, cooperativity effects, effect of pH on inhibition, kinetics of protection against tritiated iodoacetate incorporation into membrane sulfhydryl groups, and protection against the bacteriocidal effect of carboxymethylation of iodoacetate indicate that nitrite acts as a membrane-directed sulfhydryl agent. The mechanism by which nitrite modifies the chemical reactivity of the sulfhyrdyl group could be either direct covalent modification or inactivation through communication with another modified membrane component. Profiles of pH effects suggest that the active agent is the protonated form of nitrite. The nitrite concentrations which modify membrane sulfhydryl activity coincide with those which have a bacteriostatic effect. These results are consistent with membrane sulfhydryl modification as a component of the mechanism of nitrite-induced bacteriostasis in this aerobic sporeformer.

• Research Organization: Univ. of Maryland, College Park
• OSTI ID: 6859892
• Journal Information: Appl. Environ. Microbiol.; (United States), Journal Name: Appl. Environ. Microbiol.; (United States) Vol. 53:1; ISSN AEMID
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

550201* -- Biochemistry-- Tracer Techniques
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
BACILLUS
BACILLUS CEREUS
BACTERIA
BIOCHEMICAL REACTION KINETICS
BIOLOGICAL PATHWAYS
CELL CONSTITUENTS
CELL MEMBRANES
GROWTH
INACTIVATION
INHIBITION
ISOTOPE APPLICATIONS
KINETICS
LABELLED COMPOUNDS
MEMBRANES
MICROORGANISMS
NITRITES
NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC SULFUR COMPOUNDS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
REACTION KINETICS
SPORES
THIOLS
TOXICITY
TRACER TECHNIQUES
TRITIUM COMPOUNDS