Article
Accumulation of heme biosynthetic intermediates contributes to the antibacterial action of the metalloid tellurite.
Nature communications - 11 May 2017
Morales Eduardo H, Pinto Camilo A, Luraschi Roberto, Muñoz-Villagrán Claudia M, Cornejo Fabián A, Simpkins Scott W, Nelson Justin, Arenas Felipe A, Piotrowski Jeff S, Myers Chad L, Mori Hirotada, Vásquez Claudio C
Abstract excerpt
The metalloid tellurite is highly toxic to microorganisms. Several mechanisms of action have been proposed, including thiol depletion and generation of hydrogen peroxide and superoxide, but none of them can fully explain its toxicity. Here we use a combination of directed evolution and chemical and biochemical approaches to demonstrate that tellurite inhibits heme biosynthesis, leading to the accumulation of...
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