Antimicrobial activity of an iron triple helicate

A D Richards, A Rodger, M J Hannon, Albert Bolhuis

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65 Citations (SciVal)

Abstract

The prevalence of antibiotic resistance has resulted in the need for new approaches to be developed to combat previously easily treatable infections. Here we investigated the potential of the synthetic metallomolecules [Fe2L3](4+) and [Cu-2(L')(2)](2+) as antibacterial agents. Both molecules have been shown to bind DNA; [Fe2L3](4+) binds in the major groove and causes DNA coiling, whilst [Cu-2(L')(2)](2+) can act as an artificial nuclease. The work described here shows that only [Fe2L3] 4+ is bactericidal for Bacillus subtilis and Escherichia coli. We demonstrate that [Fe2L3](4+) binds bacterial DNA in vivo and, strikingly, that it kills B. subtilis cells very rapidly.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)469-472
Number of pages4
JournalInternational Journal of Antimicrobial Agents
Volume33
Issue number5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - May 2009

Keywords

  • Major groove binder
  • DNA binding
  • Helicate
  • Metallomolecule
  • Antimicrobial

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