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. 1981 Apr;146(1):54–63. doi: 10.1128/jb.146.1.54-63.1981

Structural and functional properties of colicin M.

K Schaller, R Dreher, V Braun
PMCID: PMC217051  PMID: 7012126

Abstract

Colicin M of Escherichia coli Cl139 was isolated in pure form. It consisted of a single polypeptide with a molecular weight of 27,000 +/- 2,000. Colicin M lysed sensitive cells of E. coli but had to act continuously up to the point when lysis commenced (after 20 min). Colicin M was largely resistant to hydrolysis by trypsin except when adsorbed to cells. Within 4 to 5 min after addition of colicin M, cells could be rescued by trypsin or sodium dodecyl sulfate. Later, colicin M was apparently inaccessible to these inactivating agents. Killing of cells by colicin M required Ca2+ ions. Cells could be rescued with ethylene glycol-bis(beta-aminoethyl ether)-N,N'-tetraacetate (EGTA) immediately before the onset of lysis. Under these conditions, colicin M remained bound to the cells, and it became again sensitive to trypsin. We conclude that under the influence of EGTA colicin M is removed from its site of action and becomes again accessible to trypsin at the cell surface.

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Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

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