University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

The Mechanism of Oxygen and Nitric Oxide Toxicity in Escherichia Coli

Woodmansee, Anh Nguyen

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Description

Title
The Mechanism of Oxygen and Nitric Oxide Toxicity in Escherichia Coli
Author(s)
Woodmansee, Anh Nguyen
Issue Date
2002
Doctoral Committee Chair(s)
Imlay, James A.
Department of Study
Microbiology
Discipline
Microbiology
Degree Granting Institution
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Degree Name
Ph.D.
Degree Level
Dissertation
Keyword(s)
Biology, Microbiology
Language
eng
Abstract
The presence of nitric oxide (NO) greatly accelerates the rate at which hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) kills E. coli. The goal of this study was to determine the mechanism of this synergism. The filamentation of the dead cells, and their protection by cell-permeable iron chelators, indicated that NO/H2O2 killed cells by damaging their DNA through the Fenton reaction. NO also blocked respiration, an event which previous studies have shown can stimulate oxidative DNA damage. The resultant accumulation of NADH accelerates the reduction of free flavins by flavin reductase, and these reduced flavins drive Fenton chemistry by tranferring electrons to free iron. The possibility that H2O2 and NO synergize when macrophages attack captive bacteria is discussed.
Graduation Semester
2002
Type of Resource
text
Permalink
http://hdl.handle.net/2142/86646

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