COLICIN E Meaning and
Definition
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Colicin E is a type of protein toxin produced by certain strains of bacteria, particularly Escherichia coli. It is a potent bacteriocin, which means it has antimicrobial properties and can selectively kill or inhibit the growth of other bacteria, especially related strains. Colicin E is primarily produced by E. coli for competitive advantage, allowing it to outcompete or eliminate neighboring bacteria in its environment.
The colicin E protein toxin acts by disrupting key cellular functions in susceptible bacteria. It specifically targets and damages essential structures or processes, such as the membrane integrity, enzymatic activity, or DNA replication. The exact mechanism of colicin E action may vary, but it generally leads to the death or growth inhibition of target bacteria.
Colicin E is classified as a narrow-spectrum bacteriocin because it is only active against specific bacterial species or strains. It is part of a wider family of colicins, each with unique structure, mode of action, and target range. Colicin E is typically encoded by a genetic element called a colicin plasmid, which is an extra-chromosomal piece of DNA within a bacterial cell.
Overall, colicin E represents a natural defense mechanism employed by certain bacteria to eliminate or limit the growth of competing bacteria in their environment. Its selective bactericidal properties, combined with its narrow spectrum of activity, make colicin E a valuable tool for studying bacterial interactions and a potential candidate for therapeutic applications in the future.
Common Misspellings for COLICIN E
- xolicin e
- volicin e
- folicin e
- dolicin e
- cilicin e
- cklicin e
- cllicin e
- cplicin e
- c0licin e
- c9licin e
- cokicin e
- copicin e
- cooicin e
- colucin e
- coljcin e
- colkcin e
- colocin e
- col9cin e
- col8cin e
- colixin e
Etymology of COLICIN E
The word "Colicin E" is derived from the term "colicin", which comes from the Greek word "kolikos" meaning "related to the colon". Colicins are a group of bacteriocins, which are toxic proteins produced by some strains of Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria. These proteins have antimicrobial properties that kill or inhibit the growth of other closely related bacteria. The specific type of colicin is indicated by a letter, in this case, "E", which refers to a particular variant or subtype of colicin.
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