Thaver, VeneeshaMeyer, Jacobus Johannes MarionCockeran, RianaCholo, Moloko C.Anderson, RonaldLall, Namrita2016-09-072016-09-072012-05Thaver, V, Meyer, JJM, Cockeran, R, Cholo, MC, Anderson, R & Lall, N 2012, 'Investigation of the anti-mycobacterial mechanism of action of 7-methyljuglone', Open Journal of Respiratory Diseases, vol. 2, no. 2, pp. 60-62.2163-940X (print)2163-9418 (online)10.4236/ojrd.2012.22009http://hdl.handle.net/2263/56642Although the naphthoquinone, 7-methyljuglone (7-MJ), is active against Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) in vitro, neither the cellular site nor mechanism of anti-mycobacterial action of this agent has been identified. The primary objective of the current study was to investigate the mycobacterial outer membrane as a potential target of 7-MJ by measuring the effects of this agent (0.023 - 1.5 mg/L) on microbial ATP levels and uptake of K+. Methods: Bioluminescence and radiometric (uptake of 86Rb+) procedures were used to assay microbial ATP levels and K+ trans-port respectively. Results: Exposure of MTB (strain H37Rv) to 7-MJ for 60 min resulted in dose-related decreases in both microbial ATP levels and uptake of 86Rb+ which achieved statistical significance (P < 0.05) at concentrations of 0.4 and 0.1 mg/L respectively. Conclusions: These observations are compatible with the mycobacterial membrane as being the putative site of action of 7-MJ, targeting microbial energy metabolism and K+ transport.en© 2012 SciResAdenosine triphosphateCell membraneEnergy metabolismPotassiumMycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB)Article