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Novel intercellular communication system in Escherichia coli that confers antibiotic resistance between physically
1BioPhysics Research Group, QinetiQ ltd., Winfrith Technology Centre, Dorchester, UK. rdheal@QinetiQ.com
Aims:
To determine whether intercellular signalling can occur between physically separated populations of Escherichia coli.
Methods And Results:
Intercellular signalling between physically discrete populations of E. coli BL21 was analysed in bi-partite Petri dishes. Transfer of a growth-promoting signal resulted in induction of resistance to the antibiotic ampicillin. Optimal expression of the signal occurred when the signalling population was established as a bacterial lawn for 24 h. This represented an entry into the stationary phase of growth, as indicated by the expression profile of the RNA polymerase subunit sigma38 (sigmaS; sigma S). The growth-promoting effect was also observed when E. coli DH5alpha (luxS-) was used as the signalling population. Preventing passage of air between the two populations resulted in a complete cessation of the growth-promoting effect.
Conclusions:
A growth-promoting signal occurs between physically separated cultures of E. coli. The exact nature of the signal remains to be determined but does not involve the production of autoinducer-2 from the luxS gene. Signal transmission is likely to involve airborne transfer of a signal species.
Significance And Impact Of The Study:
Intercellular signalling systems exist in bacteria that enable antibiotic resistance to be conferred between physically separated populations.