Open AccessDifferential induction of Escherichia coli autolysis by penicillin and the bacteriophage phi X174 gene E product
Author(s) -
G. Halfmann,
Werner Lubitz
Publication year - 1986
Publication title -
journal of bacteriology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.652
H-Index - 246
eISSN - 1067-8832
pISSN - 0021-9193
DOI - 10.1128/jb.166.2.683-685.1986
Subject(s) - autolysis (biology) , biology , escherichia coli , lysis , mutant , inducer , gene product , microbiology and biotechnology , bacteriophage , gene , gene expression , biochemistry , enzyme
The behavior of the temperature-sensitive, penicillin-tolerant Escherichia coli mutant VC44 to endogenously induced autolysis by the bacteriophage phi X174 gene E product (gpE) was investigated. Expression of the cloned phi X174 lysis gene showed that cultures of strain VC44 grown at the restricted temperature were fully sensitive to endogenously induced autolysis. The results revealed that the modes of E. coli lysis induction by gpE and by penicillin differ and that the trigger mechanisms for autolysis depend greatly on the specific inducer used.