The mode of action of nanaomycin a in gram-positive bacteria

Abstract

The mode of action of nanaomycin A on Gram-positive bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus and Streptococcus faecalis was investigated. Nanaomycin A inhibited the biosyntheses of protein, DNA, RNA and cell-wall peptidoglycan to a similar extent. It increased the exogenous respiration of S. aureus cells at the minimal inhibitory concentration. The cells preincubated with nanaomycin A showed stimulation of proton influx after addition of N,N’-dicyclo-hexylcarbodiimide, an inhibitor of Ca++, Mg++-ATPase. Nanaomycin A seems to interfere with the cytoplasmic membrane or to inhibit coupling of oxidative phosphorylation, followed by secondary inhibitory effect on protein, nucleic acids and cell-wall peptidoglycan biosyntheses. © 1980, JAPAN ANTIBIOTICS RESEARCH ASSOCIATION. All rights reserved.