Escherichia coli neuraminidase

The intracellular form of neuraminidase has been detected in E. coli and Proteus vulgaris. Neuraminidase has been isolated from E. coli HB 101 cells and purified 118-fold. Some physico-chemical properties of this enzyme have been studied.     

Pathogenic Escherichia coli

Few microorganisms are as versatile as Escherichia coli. An important member of the normal intestinal microflora of humans and other mammals, E. coli has also been widely exploited as a cloning host in recombinant DNA technology. But E. coli is more than just a laboratory workhorse or harmless intestinal inhabitant; it can also be a highly versatile, and frequently deadly, pathogen. Several different E. coli strains cause diverse intestinal and extraintestinal diseases by means of virulence factors that affect a wide range of cellular processes.     

Calcification by Escherichia coli

Escherichia coli K-12, grown in a synthetic medium containing metastable calcium phosphate, formed intracellular biological apatite crystals.     

Autolysis of Escherichia coli

Autolysis of unwashed exponential-phase Escherichia coli cells was efficiently promoted by first submitting them to a quick downshock with distilled water before an upshock with 0.5 M sodium acetate, pH 6.5. The association of these two osmotic shocks had a remarkable synergistic effect and led to significant decreases in turbidity and viability. Different factors influencing the rate of cell lysis were examined. A close correlation was established between autolysis and the degradation of peptidoglycan. Both phenomena were induced by the same shock treatment, followed similar kinetics, and were efficiently blocked by addition of divalent cations. Cell lysis was also inducible by a shock treatment with 10(-3) M ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid or ethylene glycol-bis(beta-aminoethyl ether)-N,N-tetraacetic acid and blocked by the addition of divalent cations.     

Escherichia coli mutator genes

The isolation and characterization of Escherichia coli mutator genes have led to a better understanding of DNA replication fidelity mechanisms and to the discovery of important DNA repair pathways and their relationship to spontaneous mutagenesis. Mutator strains in a population of cells can be beneficial in that they allow rapid selection of variants during periods of stress, such as drug exposure.