title: Failure to trigger the autolytic enzymes in minicells of Escherichia coli.
abstract: Minicells from Escherichia coli P678-54 are refractory towards procedures known to induce bacteriolysis of DNA-containing E. coli cells. Although still engaged in murein synthesis, minicells could not be lysed by penicillin G. Likewise, endogenous overproduction of the cloned soluble lytic transglycosylase, the predominant murein hydrolytic activity in E. coli, failed to lyse minicells. Furthermore, induction of the phage MS2 lysis protein, a hydrophobic protein assumed to trigger the autolytic system of the host, did not result in bacteriolysis. It is concluded that the murein hydrolases present in minicells are under a tight cellular control.
authors.affiliation: Max-Planck-Institut für Entwicklungsbiologie, Abteilung Biochemie, Tübingen, F.R.G.
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Markiewicz
authors.forename: J V
authors.initials: JV
authors.lastname: Höltje
mesh_terms: D001329:Autolysis; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000378:metabolism; D016695:Glycosyltransferases / Q000378:metabolism; D007700:Kinetics; D010406:Penicillins / Q000494:pharmacology; D010457:Peptidoglycan / Q000096:biosynthesis; D012995:Solubility; D014166:Transferases / Q000378:metabolism; D014764:Viral Proteins / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D010406:Penicillins; D010457:Peptidoglycan; D014764:Viral Proteins; C037227:lysis protein, Enterobacterio phage MS2; D014166:Transferases; D016695:Glycosyltransferases; C021815:murein transglycosylase