Open AccessEscherichia coli is naturally transformable in a novel transformation system
Author(s) -
Sun Dongchang,
Zhang Yanmei,
Mei Yunjun,
Jiang Hui,
Xie Zhixiong,
Liu Huihui,
Chen Xiangdong,
Shen Ping
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
fems microbiology letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.899
H-Index - 151
eISSN - 1574-6968
pISSN - 0378-1097
DOI - 10.1111/j.1574-6968.2006.00503.x
Subject(s) - escherichia coli , transformation (genetics) , bacteria , chloramphenicol , enterobacteriaceae , biology , chemistry , microbiology and biotechnology , biochemistry , gene , genetics
A novel transformation system, in which neither a nonphysiological concentration of Ca 2+ and temperature shifts nor electronic shocks were required, was developed to determine whether Escherichia coli is naturally transformable. In the new protocol, E. coli was cultured normally to the stationary phase and then cultured statically at 37°C in Luria–Bertani broth. After static culture, transformation occurred in bacteria spread on Luria–Bertani plates. The protein synthesis inhibitor chloramphenicol inhibited this transformation process. The need for protein synthesis in plated bacteria suggests that the transformation of E. coli in this new system is regulated physiologically.