Studies on the mode of action of a bacteriocin produced by Bacillus stearothermophilus.

Thermocin 10 was purified by elution from a carboxymethyl cellulose column. The eluted thermocin was homogeneous and yielded single bands with identical relative mobility when stained for protein or glycoprotein. Thermocin 10 inhibited RNA synthesis 3 min after its addition. Cell motility, oxygen uptake, ATP synthesis, and DNA synthesis were inhibited 10 min after the addition of thermocin 10. Total cell protein was reduced to one quarter of its normal content in cells treated with thermocin.