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Published on: November 12, 2012
Platinum-induced filamentous growth in Escherichia coli
Abstract:
Certain group VIIIB transition metal compounds were found to inhibit cell division in Escherichia coli, causing marked filamentous growth. Gram-negative bacilli were the most sensitive to this effect, whereas gram-positive bacilli responded only at near-toxic levels of the metal. None of the cocci tested showed any apparent effect. Cytokinesis (cross-septation) can be initiated by removal or decrease of platinum, but not by treatment with pantoyl lactone, divalent cations, or a temperature of 42 C.
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