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Antibiotic activity of bonellin and hematoporphyrin on marine and terrestrial bacteria

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Abstract

Bonellin, a chlorin extracted fromBonellia viridis (Echiura), and hemaatoporphyrin exhibit a strong antibiotic and bactericidal activity on marine and terrestrial bacteria. This action is enhanced by light. Oxygen consumption and motility of bacteria are also inhibited, while no chemotactic effects are observed. The drugs induce lysis onBacillus subtilis protoplasts, but they are ineffective onMicrococcus lysodeikticus protoplasts.

The results are discussed and compared with those obtained with eukariotic cells. Attention is focused on the ecological role of bonellin in the defense mechanism ofBonellia viridis.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Unité 40, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, 1 Avenue Jean Lorrain, F-06300, Nice, France

    Michel J. Gauthier

  2. Istituto di Biologia Generale e Genetica, Università di Napoli, Via Mezzocannone 8, 80134, Napoli, Italia

    Marina de Nicola Giudici

Authors
  1. Michel J. Gauthier
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  2. Marina de Nicola Giudici
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Gauthier, M.J., de Nicola Giudici, M. Antibiotic activity of bonellin and hematoporphyrin on marine and terrestrial bacteria. Current Microbiology 8, 195–199 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01579545

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