Protein sites of attack of N-chlorotaurine in Escherichia coli.

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 pI. 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.