The DNA gyrase inhibitors, nalidixic acid and oxolinic acid, prevent iron-mediated repression of catechol siderophore synthesis in Azotobacter vinelandii.

Low concentrations of nalidixic acid and oxolinic acid that were just inhibitory to Azotobacter vinelandii growth promoted the production of the catechol siderophores azotochelin and aminochelin, in the presence of normally repressive concentrations of Fe3+. There was a limited effect on the pyoverdin siderophore, azotobactin, where low concentrations of Fe3+ were rendered less repressive, but the repression by higher concentrations of Fe3+ was normal. These drugs did not induce high-molecular-mass iron-repressible outer-membrane proteins and similar effects on the regulation of catechol siderophore synthesis were not produced by novobiocin, coumermycin, or ethidium bromide. The timing of nalidixic acid and Fe3+ addition to iron-limited cells was critical. Nalidixic acid had to be added before iron-repression of catechol siderophore synthesis and before the onset of iron-sufficient growth. Continued production of the catechol siderophores, however, was not due to interference with normal iron uptake. These data indicated that nalidixic acid prevented normal iron-repression of catechol siderophore synthesis but could not reverse iron repression once it had occurred. The possible roles of DNA gyrase activity in the regulation of catechol siderophore synthesis is discussed.