Inhibition of NADH oxidase and lactate dehydrogenase of Mycoplasma gallisepticum by copper complexes of 2,2'-bipyridyl analogues.

In the presence of copper, 2,2'-bipyridyl analogues possess growth-inhibitory activity against Mycoplasma gallisepticum. Inhibition of the energy yielding metabolism plays a role in the mechanism of action. We showed that probably inhibition of lactate dehydrogenase and NADH oxidase is involved. Both enzymes were inhibited in vitro and in vivo by several copper 2,2'-bipyridyl complexes. A two-step mechanism of action is proposed, i.e. first a copper complex enters the cell, then after dissociation of the complex the enzymes are inhibited by free copper.