Common mechanistic action of bacteriocins from lactic acid bacteria

The influence of four bacteriocins from lactic acid bacteria on the proton motive force (PMF) of sensitive organisms was investigated. Pediocin PA-1 (20 microgram/ml) and leuconocin S (48.5 microgram/ml) mediated total or major PMF dissipation of energized Listeria monocytogenes Scott A cells in a concentration-dependent manner, as has been shown for nisin. Lactacin F (13.5 microgram/ml) caused 87% PMF depletion of energized Lactobacillus delbrueckii ATCC 4797 cells, also in a concentration-dependent fashion. The energy requirements for the activity of these four bacteriocins were determined by using the ionophores nigericin and valinomycin to carry out partial and specific deenergization of the target organisms. Pediocin PA-1, leuconocin S, and lactacin F acted in an energy-independent manner, whereas the activity of nisin was confirmed to be energy dependent. These results together with published reports on other bacteriocins suggest that the bacteriocins of lactic acid bacteria share a common mechanism, the depletion of PMF