The influence of antibiotics WR 142 on permeability of cell membranes.

The influence of antibiotics WR 142 (fractions I and II and Wr 142 FPG) on transport across cell membranes of B. subtilis and C. albicans was studied. Antibiotics Wr 142 did not increase permeability of cell membranes as 86Rb was not exchanged by other monovalent ions in the presence of the antibiotic preparations. Temperature, ionic strength and pH had no significant influence on the action of these antibiotics on the cell membranes. Antibiotics Wr 142 do not form lipid-soluble complexes with alkali metal ions, and therefore do not transport these ions, in contrast to the ionophoric antibiotics. No effect of antibiotics Wr 142 on the stucture of the cell membrane depriving it of its selective function as an osmotic barrier was observed.