J. Bacteriol., 09 1996, 5316-5319, Vol 178, No. 17
Copyright © 1996, American Society for Microbiology

Dynamic aspects of colicin N translocation through the Escherichia coli outer membrane

R El Kouhen and JM Pages
UPR 9027, IBSM-IFR1, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Marseille, France.

Colicin N is a bacteriocin that kills sensitive Escherichia coli cells. After binding to the cell surface-exposed receptor, a short period exists when a significant number of the cell-associated colicin N molecules are sensitive to external enzymes. Two colicin N populations are discriminated by proteases: the susceptible pool bound to OmpF porin on the cell surface and another population corresponding to protease-inaccessible colicin N. During translocation, colicin N reaches the periplasmic space and proteolytic cleavage of the colicin occurs only when the outer membrane barrier is permeabilized.

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