Protein sites of attack of <b><i>N</i></b>‐chlorotaurine in <b><i>Escherichia coli</i></b>

Abstract

Abstract N ‐Chlorotaurine sodium (NCT) is a promising microbicidal agent for topical treatment of infections. Its targets of attack in Escherichia coli have been investigated by proteomics. Incubation in 1% NCT for 10 and 30 min revealed a change of the charge and a separation of numerous proteins into a series of spots with a different p I . Charge differences could be related to oxidation of cysteine residues to their corresponding sulfonic acids. Heat shock protein 60 appeared, while ribosome‐releasing factor, d‐ribose periplasmic binding protein, and malonyl‐CoA transacylase spots decreased. These results indicate penetration of oxidation capacity into the bacteria and destruction of essential proteins by NCT.