Too much of a good thing: Adaption to iron (II) intoxication in Escherichia coli.

ABSTRACT:

Background

There has been an increased usage of metallic antimicrobial materials to control pathogenic and multi-drug resistant bacteria. Yet, there is a corresponding need to know if this usage leads to genetic adaptations that could produce more harmful strains.

Methodology

Experimental evolution was used to adapt Escherichia coli K-12 MG1655 to excess iron (II) with subsequent genomic analysis. Phenotypic assays and gene expression studies were conducted to demonstrate pleiotropic effects associated with this adaptation and to elucidate potential cellular responses.

Results

After 200 days of adaptation, populations cultured in excess iron (II), showed a significant increase in 24-h optical densities compared to controls. Furthermore, these populations showed

SUBMITTER: Thomas MD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7937436 | biostudies-literature | 2021

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature