Colicins and Related Bacteriocins

Abstract

The colicins and a few related bacteriocins were studied, emphasizing recent developments in 2 aspects of colicin studies. The 1st is the analysis of colicinogenic factors (colicin factors or Col factors) and the genetic determinants of colicin production. These studies revealed several different types of extra-chromosomal genetic elements (plasmids) related to the F factor of Escherichia coli. The 2nd which is the study of the mode of action of colicins, revealed a variety of features of colicin action and suggested the importance of the cell membrane in the regulation and functional organization of bacterial cells.