Isopycnography of intact cells. VI: Effect of temperature on steady state Escherichia coli.
Steady state cultures of Escherichia coli W3110 possess constant cellular concentrations of ribosomes while above 22 C as measured isopycnographically. Below 22 C, ribosome levels are significantly diminished, equivalent to those found in dormant cells. Concommitantly, the energy of activation of steady state population growth in E. coli remains at a constant 18.6 kcal between 22 C and 37 C. This suggests that the thermal stability of the protein synthesis apparatus may play an important role in pathogenesis as well as in other areas of ecological niche acquisition and dominance.
D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000502:physiology*; D012270:Ribosomes / Q000502:physiology; D013046:Specific Gravity; D013696:Temperature