Enterocin P causes potassium ion efflux from Enterococcus faecium T136 cells

Enterocin P is a bacteriocin produced by Enterococcus faecium P13, We studied the mechanism of its bactericidal action using enterocin-P-sensitive E, faecium T136 cells. The bacteriocin is incapable of dissipating the transmembrane pH gradient. On the other hand, depending on the buffer used, enterocin P dissipates the transmembrane potential. Enterocin P efficiently elicits efflux of potassium ions, but not of intracellularly accumulated anions like phosphate and glutamate, Taken together, these data demonstrate that enterocin P forms specific, potassium ion-conducting pores in the cytoplasmic membrane of target cells.