Carvacrol alters the membrane phospholipids in erythromycin-resistant Streptococcus pyogenes

Niluni M. Wijesundara; Song F. Lee; David N. Langelaan; Abir Lefsay; H.P. Vasantha Rupasinghe

Phytomedicine Plus (Aug 2024)

Carvacrol alters the membrane phospholipids in erythromycin-resistant Streptococcus pyogenes

Niluni M. Wijesundara,
Song F. Lee,
David N. Langelaan,
Abir Lefsay,
H.P. Vasantha Rupasinghe

Affiliations

Niluni M. Wijesundara: Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada; Department of Plant, Food, and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Dalhousie University, Truro, NS, Canada; Department of Food Science and Technology, Faculty of Animal Science and Export Agriculture, Uva Wellassa University, Badulla, Sri Lanka
Song F. Lee: Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada; Department of Applied Oral Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS Canada; Canadian Center for Vaccinology, Dalhousie University, Nova Scotia Health Authority, and the Izaak Walton Killam Health Centre, Halifax, NS Canada
David N. Langelaan: Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
Abir Lefsay: Proteomics and Mass spectroscopy Facility, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
H.P. Vasantha Rupasinghe: Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada; Department of Plant, Food, and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Dalhousie University, Truro, NS, Canada; Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada; Corresponding author.

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 4, no. 3
p. 100614

Abstract

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Background: Phospholipids are significant constituents of bacterial membranes. Bacteria can alter their cytoplasmic membrane fatty acid composition in response to changing environmental stress conditions. Carvacrol, a mono-terpenoid phenol, has excellent antibacterial properties against Streptococcus pyogenes. Purpose: This study examined modifications of the membrane phospholipid composition in the presence of sublethal carvacrol concentrations using erythromycin-resistant S. pyogenes. Methods: The cell membrane isolates (CMIs) were prepared from S. pyogenes strain Spy 1558, erm. The ultrastructural morphology was studied using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Carvacrol-treated CMIs were analyzed for fluidity changes using fluorescence-anisotropy. Changes in membrane lipid composition were assessed using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS). Results: Fluidity of the bacterial membrane increased time-dependently when exposed to carvacrol. The CMI isolated from cells treated with carvacrol showed a change in cardiolipins (CL), phosphatidylglycerol (PG), and phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) percentages compared to the untreated control. Conclusion: Carvacrol induces modulation of specific membrane phospholipid and fatty acid composition of S. pyogenes. Further investigations are necessary to understand how fatty acid and phospholipid biosynthesis can be influenced by carvacrol.

Published in Phytomedicine Plus

ISSN: 2667-0313 (Online)
Publisher: Elsevier
Country of publisher: Netherlands
LCC subjects: Medicine: Other systems of medicine
Website: https://www.journals.elsevier.com/phytomedicine-plus/

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