Characterisation Of The Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Factor That Inhibits Mouse-LiVer Mito-Chondrial Respiration

Abstract

SUMMARY A chloroform-soluble, extracellular product of Pseudomonas aeruginosa was obtained from sloppy-agar cultures. Pyrogallol 1-monomethyl ether, 1-methoxyphenazine, 1-hydroxyphenazine and pyocyanin were chemically synthesised and also tested for an inhibitory effect on mitochondrial respiration. It was found that the Ps. aeruginosa substance and 1-hydroxyphenazine inhibited the uptake of oxygen by mouse liver mitochondria utilising sodium succinate. In a Ps. aeruginosa infection this substance would be released into the bloodstream, accumulate in the liver and cause cytolysis, thus contributing to the complex mechanism of Ps. aeruginosa pathogenicity.