Screening of natural phenolic compounds for potential to inhibit bacterial cell division protein FtsZ

Abstract

FtsZ plays an important role in bacterial cell division by polymerizing to form the Z ring at the site of cytokinesis. Phytochemicals are known to disrupt bacterial cell division through inhibition of FtsZ assembly. In the present study phytochemicals like eugenol, <i style="">trans-</i>cinnamic acid, 4-formyl cinnamic acid, naringenin and caffeic acid were were tested for their potential to inhibit cell division. Effect of these antimicrobial compounds on the growth of <i style="">E. coli</i> was determined and the inhibition of FtsZ assembly <i style="">in vitro</i> was investigated. The present study revealed <i style="">trans</i>-cinnamic acid as the most potent inhibitor of FtsZ assembly.