Characterization of a Novel Microcin That Kills Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli O157:H7 and O26
ABSTRACTA novel phenotype was recently identified in which specific strains ofEscherichia coliinhibit competingE. colistrains via a mechanism that was designated “proximity-dependent inhibition” (PDI). PDI-expressing (PDI+)E. coliis known to inhibit susceptible (PDI−)E. colistrains, including several enterohemorrhagic (EHEC) and enterotoxigenic (ETEC)E. colistrains. In this study, every strain from a genetically diverse panel ofE. coliO157:H7 (n= 25) and additional strains ofE. coliserovar O26 were susceptible to the PDI phenotype. LIVE/DEAD staining was consistent with inhibition by killing of susceptible cells. Comparative genome analysis identified the genetic component of PDI, which is composed of a plasmid-borne (Incl1) operon encoding a putative microcin and associated genes for transport, immunity, and microcin activation. Transfer of the plasmid to a PDI−strain resulted in transfer of the phenotype, and deletion of the genes within the operon resulted in loss of the inhibition phenotype. Deletion of chromosomally encodedtolCalso resulted in loss of the inhibitory phenotype, and this confirmed that the putative microcin is most likely secreted via a type I secretion pathway. Deletion of an unrelated plasmid gene did not affect the PDI phenotype. Quantitative reverse transcription (RT)-PCR demonstrated that microcin expression is correlated with logarithmic-phase growth. The ability to inhibit a diversity ofE. colistrains indicates that this microcin may influence gut community composition and could be useful for control of important enteric pathogens.