Colicins. Bacterial protein toxins: Weapons against competitors [Bakterielle proteintoxine: Waffen gegen konkurrenten: Colicine]

摘要

Bacteriocins are bacterial protein toxins that kill competitors for the same ecological niche. Bacterial toxins are enzymes or pore-forming proteins which are equipped with receptor binding and translocation domains bringing the activity domains into cells. Those which are formed by Escherichia coli are named colicins. Nearly 50 percent of natural E. coli isolates produce colicins. They are actively taken up by E. coli through sophisticated mechanisms and kill cells by various means.