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. 1996 Mar;64(3):1070–1074. doi: 10.1128/iai.64.3.1070-1074.1996

Staphylocidal action of thrombin-induced platelet microbicidal protein is not solely dependent on transmembrane potential.

S P Koo 1, A S Bayer 1, H G Sahl 1, R A Proctor 1, M R Yeaman 1
PMCID: PMC173884  PMID: 8641763

Abstract

Thrombin-induced platelet microbicidal protein (tPMP) is a small, cationic, antimicrobial peptide released from rabbit platelets when stimulated with thrombin. We studied the relationship between staphylococcal transmembrane potential (delta psi) and tPMP staphylocidal activity. A genetically related pair of Staphylococcus aureus strains, 6850 and JB1, which differ in delta psi generation (-143 and -97 mV, respectively) were used. Mutant JB-1 was substantially less susceptible to tPMP than the parental strain, 6850. Menadione supplementation, which normalized the delta psi of strain JB-1, did not restore JB-1 tPMP susceptibility. These findings suggest that the staphylocidal activities of tPMP require factors other than or in addition to an intact delta psi.

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Selected References

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