Abstract
Halocins H4 and H6, two bacteriocins produced by halobacterial strains, are proteins able to kill other halobacterial strains than those which produce them. Although their physico-chemical features are quite distinct, their modes of action seem to be similar. Both halocins induce morphological changes and lysis in sensitive cells, affect light-induced pH changes and inhibit α-aminoisobutiric acid transport. All these factors lead us to suppose that the target of both halocins must be located at membrane level, affecting one or more of the mechanisms which take part in the complex machinery of regulation and maintenance of the electrochemical gradients steady state through the membrane. The fact that halobacteria live in extremely aggressive media considerably increases the effectiveness of substances such as halocin H4 and H6 to kill salt-dependent cells.
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Meseguer, I., Torreblanca, M., Rodriguez-Valera, F. (1991). Mode of Action of Halocins H4 and H6: Are They Effective Against the Adaptation to High Salt Environments?. In: Rodriguez-Valera, F. (eds) General and Applied Aspects of Halophilic Microorganisms. NATO ASI Series, vol 201. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-3730-4_19
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-3730-4_19
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