TITLE:
Investigation of the Anti-Mycobacterial Mechanism of Action of 7-Methyljuglone
AUTHORS:
Veneesha Thaver, J. J. M. Meyer, Riana Cockeran, Moloko C. Cholo, Ronald Anderson, Namrita Lall
KEYWORDS:
Adenosine Triphosphate; Cell Membrane; Energy Metabolism; Potassium
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Respiratory Diseases,
Vol.2 No.2,
May
16,
2012
ABSTRACT: Objectives: Although the naphthoquinone, 7-methyljuglone (7-MJ), is active against Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) in vitro, neither the cellular site nor mechanism of anti-mycobacterial action of this agent has been identified. The primary objective of the current study was to investigate the mycobacterial outer membrane as a potential target of 7-MJ by measuring the effects of this agent (0.023 - 1.5 mg/L) on microbial ATP levels and uptake of K+ . Methods: Bioluminescence and radiometric (uptake of 86Rb+) procedures were used to assay microbial ATP levels and K+ transport respectively. Results: Exposure of MTB (strain H37Rv) to 7-MJ for 60 min resulted in dose-related decreases in both microbial ATP levels and uptake of 86Rb+ which achieved statistical significance (P + transport.