An Investigation of Cytochrome Bd Quinol Oxidases of Vibrio Cholerae, Rhodobacter Sphaeroides, and Salmonella Typhimurium
Chapter four describes the discovery of novel members of the tri-heme family in R. sphaeroides and V. cholerae. Combining spectroscopy and activity studies with recombinant gene expression and mutagenesis, it was shown that these two organisms might harbor an oxidase that is distinct from the bd-I oxidase of E. coli . Chapter five lays out the development of a flow cytometry assay that can be used to study bacterial membrane polarization. This assay is a specific, rapid, and efficient method to screening potential ionophores and antibiotics. Chapter six utilizes the assay to investigate the mechanism of triclosan, a widely used bactericide. It was found that triclosan might disrupt bacteria's growth by directly interrupting the membrane integrity.
University of Illinois - Urbana-Champaign
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University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign