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. 1996 Nov;62(11):4284–4287. doi: 10.1128/aem.62.11.4284-4287.1996

Inhibitory Effects of Secondary Metabolites from the Red Alga Delisea pulchra on Swarming Motility of Proteus mirabilis

L Gram, R de Nys, R Maximilien, M Givskov, P Steinberg, S Kjelleberg
PMCID: PMC1388992  PMID: 16535454

Abstract

Abnormal, uncoordinated swarming motility of the opportunistic human pathogen Proteus mirabilis was seen when a crude extract of the Australian red alga Delisea pulchra was added to the medium. This occurred at concentrations at which growth rate, swimming motility, cell elongation, polynucleation, and hyperflagellation were not affected. One halogenated furanone from D. pulchra inhibited swarming motility at concentrations that did not affect growth rate and swimming motility. Other structurally similar D. pulchra furanones had no effect on swarming, suggesting considerable specificity in the effects of furanones on swarming motility by P. mirabilis.

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Selected References

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