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Lactocin 160, a Bacteriocin Produced by Vaginal Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Targets Cytoplasmic Membranes of the Vaginal Pathogen, Gardnerella vaginalis

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Abstract

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a commonly occurring vaginal infection that is associated with a variety of serious risks related to the reproductive health of women. Conventional antibiotic treatment for this condition is frequently ineffective because the antibiotics tend to inhibit healthy vaginal microflora along with the pathogens. Lactocin 160, a bacteriocin produced by healthy vaginal lactobacilli, is a promising alternative to antibiotics; this compound specifically inhibits the BV-associated vaginal pathogens such as Gardnerella vaginalis and Prevotella bivia without affecting the healthy microflora. This study investigates the molecular mechanism of action for lactocin 160 and reveals that this compound targets the cytoplasmic membrane of G. vaginalis, causing the efflux of ATP molecules and dissipation of the proton motive force.

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Acknowledgments

This research was sponsored by NIH Grant “Natural antimicrobials against bacterial vaginosis” NCCAM NIH R21AT002897-01. The authors thank Katia Sutyak and Dr. Ruth Wirawan for the editorial work.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901, USA

    Yevgeniy Turovskiy, Richard D. Ludescher & Michael L. Chikindas

  2. Rush Medical Center, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA

    Alla A. Aroutcheva

  3. The Women’s Hospital of Texas, Houston, TX, 77054, USA

    Sebastian Faro

Authors
  1. Yevgeniy Turovskiy
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  2. Richard D. Ludescher
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  3. Alla A. Aroutcheva
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  4. Sebastian Faro
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  5. Michael L. Chikindas
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Correspondence to Michael L. Chikindas.

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Turovskiy, Y., Ludescher, R.D., Aroutcheva, A.A. et al. Lactocin 160, a Bacteriocin Produced by Vaginal Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Targets Cytoplasmic Membranes of the Vaginal Pathogen, Gardnerella vaginalis . Probiotics & Antimicro. Prot. 1, 67–74 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12602-008-9003-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12602-008-9003-6

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