A role for reactive oxygen species in the antibacterial properties of carbon monoxide-releasing molecules

• Published in: FEMS microbiology letters Vol. 336; no. 1; pp. 1 - 10
• Main Authors: Tavares, Ana Filipa N., Nobre, Lígia S., Saraiva, Lígia M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.11.2012; Wiley-Blackwell; Oxford University Press
• Subjects: Animal models; Anti-Bacterial Agents - chemistry; Antibacterial activity; Antibacterial materials; Bacteria; Bacteria - drug effects; Bacteria - metabolism; bactericidal; Bactericides; Bacteriology; Biological and medical sciences; Carbon monoxide; Carbon Monoxide - pharmacology; carbon monoxide‐releasing molecules; Carbonyl compounds; Carbonyls; Cell death; Coordination compounds; Escherichia coli; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial - drug effects; Gram-negative bacteria; Ischemia; Microbiology; Microorganisms; Miscellaneous; Oxidative Stress - drug effects; Pseudomonas aeruginosa; Reactive oxygen species; Reactive Oxygen Species - metabolism; Staphylococcus aureus; Transition metals; Transplantation; bactericidal; carbon monoxide-releasing molecules; reactive oxygen species; Reactive oxygen species; Escherichia coli; Bacteria; Micrococcales; Micrococcaceae; Carbon monoxide; Staphylococcus aureus; Enterobacteriaceae
• ISSN: 0378-1097; 1574-6968
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1574-6968.2012.02633.x

Abstract Carbon monoxide-releasing molecules (CO-RMs) are, in general, transition metal carbonyl complexes that liberate controlled amounts of CO. In animal models, CO-RMs have been shown to reduce myocardial ischaemia, inflammation and vascular dysfunction, and to provide a protective effect in organ transplantation. Moreover, CO-RMs are bactericides that kill both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Herein are reviewed the microbial genetic and biochemical responses associated with CO-RM-mediated cell death. Particular emphasis is given to the data revealing that CO-RMs induce the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which contribute to the antibacterial activity of these compounds.