Enhancement of copper toxicity by siderophores in Bacillus megaterium.

Chelation of copper by siderophores enhanced the toxicity of copper for Bacillus megaterium. Although this antibacterial activity appeared to be rapidly bactericidal, it could be partly reversed by addition of deferrisiderophore , or of ferrisiderophore at high concentration, immediately after exposure of cells to the cupric-siderophore complex.