Magnesium binding as an explanation of the mode of action of novobiocin.

Novobiocin affects a wide variety of biochemical and biological processes in bacteria, whereas most other antibiotics seem to affect one specific process. All of the processes known to be affected by novobiocin require magnesium ions, and in a number of cases magnesium deficiency mimics the action of the antibiotic. Evidence is presented that novobiocin complexes with magnesium ions.