The Ecological Role of Bacteriocins in Bacterial Competition

Overview

Journal Trends Microbiol

Date 1999 Apr 21

PMID 10203843

Citations 127

Authors

M A Riley

D M Gordon

Affiliations

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Abstract

Bacteriocins are an abundant class of antimicrobial molecules that appear to mediate population dynamics within species. The bacteriocins of Escherichia coli have served as a model for exploring the ecological role of these potent toxins. Studies suggest that colicins provide a competitive edge in nutrient-poor environments and that there might be a trade-off between the costs and benefits of colicin production.

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