Antibacterial effects of carbon monoxide.
2012
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colourless and odourless gas that has long been considered as a potent respiratory
poison. Recent advances have demonstrated its production by haem oxygenases in both mammals and microbes, and it has
roles as a gasotransmitter in higher organisms. This review concentrates on the application of CO, via carbon monoxidereleasing
molecules (CO-RMs), as an anti-bacterial agent. Currently, the scope of literature on the effects of CO on bacteria
is small, and we have included discussions on the production of CO by bacteria via haem oxygenase enzymes, the use
of CO as an energy source, and existing knowledge on CO sensors in bacteria. CO is known to target haem proteins and is
an effective inhibitor of respiration, even when provided at concentrations much higher than prevailing oxygen. We review
here data suggesting that CO-RMs are more effective inhibitors of respiration than is CO gas, perhaps due to the
ability of CO-RMs to deliver CO selectively to intracellular targets. We also consider the recently reported transcriptomic
consequences of CO-RM treatment of Escherichia coli, revealing a myriad of unexpected targets for CO and potential CO
sensors. Finally, we consider the use of CO and CO-RMs as anti-bacterial agents in vivo, and the future prospects for this
gaseous molecule.
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