Chemiosmotic Mechanism of Antimicrobial Activity of Ag + in Vibrio cholerae

Although the antimicrobial effects of silver salts were noticed long ago, the molecular mechanism of the bactericidal action of Ag(+) in low concentrations has not been elucidated. Here, we show that low concentrations of Ag(+) induce a massive proton leakage through the Vibrio cholerae membrane, which results in complete deenergization and, with a high degree of probability, cell death.

• MH
  Manitoba Health Research Council
• AL
  American Lebanese Syrian Associated Charities

  Award: CA 21765
• NS
  Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada