- colicin
- Bacteriocin produced by strains of Escherichia coli and by other enterobacteria (Shigella and Salmonella) that carry the necessary plasmids. Many are toxic to related bacterial strains and bind to specific cellular receptors interfering with normal function. [(Escherichia) coli + bacteriocin]
* * *
co·li·cin 'kō-lə-sən also co·li·cine -.sēn n any of various antibacterial proteins that are produced by some strains of intestinal bacteria (as E. coli) having a specific plasmid and that often act to inhibit macromolecular synthesis in related strains* * *
col·i·cin (kolґĭ-sin) [coli (from Escherichia coli) + -cin (adapted from L. caedere to kill)] a bacteriocin secreted by colicinogenic strains of Escherichia coli and Shigella sonnei that is lethal to closely related bacterial strains. Specific colicins attach to specific receptors on cell membranes and impair systems of electron transport, membrane function, molecular synthesis, or energy production.
Medical dictionary. 2011.