Effects of Colicins E1 and K on Cellular Metabolism

Effects of Colicins E1 and K on Cellular Metabolism

Contributor(s):
Journal of Bacteriology
Luria, S. E. (Salvador Edward), 1912-1991
Fields, Kay L.
Publication:
American Society for Microbiology, January 1969
Language(s):
English
Format:
Text
Subject(s):
Cell Membrane
Metabolism
Colicins
Genre(s):
Archival Materials
Articles
Abstract:
Discovered in the 1920s by Andre Gratia, colicins are water-soluble proteins that are produced by certain proteins and which kill similar kinds of bacteria. In 1963, Masayasu Nomura demonstrated that colicins kill bacteria by damaging the membrane of the bacterial cell. As a result of Nomura's work, Luria turned his focus to colicins. On leave from MIT while at the Institut Pasteur in Paris in 1963, Luria found that the particular colicin with which he worked, E1, made bacterial cells incapable of accumulating the substances they required to maintain the cell. The colicin effectively blocked the function of transport of proteins through the membrane. After he returned to MIT, the colicin work became the focus of his laboratory. Following up on their initial findings, Luria and Fields proceeded to study the fate of glucose in colicin-treated cells, determined the specific alteration of membrane permeability and found that the production of pyruvate indicated pyruvate oxidation. Their observations suggested that an early effect of these colicins on bacterial cells may be an alteration of the cytoplasmic membrane, requiring the presence of some oxygen and leading to a block in ATP-dependent processes by limiting ATP availability.
Copyright:
This item may be under copyright protection; contact the copyright owner for permission before re-use.
Extent:
14 pages
NLM Unique ID:
101584611X53 (See in Profiles in Science)
Profiles in Science ID:
QLBBDN
Permanent Link:
http://resource.nlm.nih.gov/101584611X53
Archival Collection:
The Salvador E. Luria Papers (Profiles in Science)