ArticleNature communications2024
Membrane depolarization kills dormant Bacillus subtilis cells by generating a lethal dose of ROS.
Article in Nature communications, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 16 papers.
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Who cites it
16 citing papers in PubMed.
- The phosphate specific transport system protein PhoU modulates persister cell formation of Klebsiella pneumoniae.Molecular genetics and genomics : MGG · 2026Article
- A genome-wide CRISPRi screen identifies homologous recombination pathway as potential target for broad-spectrum antibiotic adjuvants.Journal of advanced research · 2026Article
- A platinum butterfly effect: small changes turn an anticancer drug into a non-toxic metalloantibiotic with in vivo efficacy.npj antimicrobials and resistance · 2026Article
- Shedding light on YfhS and YjlC: novel effectors of the NADH dehydrogenase activity of the electron transport chain inbioRxiv : the preprint server for biology · 2026Article
- A pleuromutilin-ciprofloxacin hybrid exhibits potent activity againstFrontiers in cellular and infection microbiology · 2026Article
- Polymyxin B lethality requires energy-dependent outer membrane disruption.Nature microbiology · 2025Article
- Natural phenolics as multitarget antimicrobials for food preservation: mechanisms of action.Food chemistry: X · 2025Review
- Synthesis of the Supramolecular Structure of Vanadium Pentoxide Nanoparticles with Native and Modified β-Cyclodextrins for Antimicrobial Performance.Bioengineering (Basel, Switzerland) · 2025Article
- Pterostilbene Eliminates MRSA Independent of Metabolic State and Effectively Prevents Biofilm Formation in Milk Matrices.Foods (Basel, Switzerland) · 2025Article
- Poly(hexamethylene guanidine): An Effective Compound in Tackling Persistent Bacterial Subpopulations.Microorganisms · 2025Article
- Cationic conjugated polymers with tunable hydrophobicity for efficient treatment of multidrug-resistant wound biofilm infections.Biomaterials · 2025Article
- (p)ppGpp-mediated GTP homeostasis ensures survival and antibiotic tolerance of Staphylococcus aureus.Communications biology · 2025Article
- ZnFe Layered Double Hydroxide Nanosheets Loaded with Cu Single-Atom Nanozymes with Multi-Enzyme-Like Catalytic Activities as an Effective Treatment for Bacterial Keratitis.Advanced science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany) · 2025Article
- Mini review: Persister cell control strategies.Frontiers in pharmacology · 2025Review
- Optimizing Tomato (Plants (Basel, Switzerland) · 2024Article
- Microbial life in slow and stopped lanes.Trends in microbiology · 2024Review
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
11 authors.
Funding
Abstract
The bactericidal activity of several antibiotics partially relies on the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which is generally linked to enhanced respiration and requires the Fenton reaction. Bacterial persister cells, an important cause of recurring infections, are tolerant to these antibiotics because they are in a dormant state. Here, we use Bacillus subtilis cells in stationary phase, as a model system of dormant cells, to show that pharmacological induction of membrane depolarization enhances the antibiotics' bactericidal activity and also leads to ROS production. However, in contrast to previous studies, this results primarily in production of superoxide radicals and does not require the Fenton reaction. Genetic analyzes indicate that Rieske factor QcrA, the iron-sulfur subunit of respiratory complex III, seems to be a primary source of superoxide radicals. Interestingly, the membrane distribution of QcrA changes upon membrane depolarization, suggesting a dissociation of complex III. Thus, our data reveal an alternative mechanism by which antibiotics can cause lethal ROS levels, and may partially explain why membrane-targeting antibiotics are effective in eliminating persisters.
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