Filament Induction in Escherichia coli by Ricinoleic Acid.

Abstract

Cultivation of E. coli in proteose peptone media containing ricinoleic acid causes the organisms to develop as elongated filaments throughout the growth cycle as long as the pH is readjusted periodically to the range 7.6-7.8. The effect appears to be specific and dependent upon the 910 unsaturation and 12-hydroxy group, as well as the cis-configuration around the double bond, present in this fatty acid. Closely related fatty acids fail to interfere with cell division in the organism. Of a variety of organic and inorganic compounds tested, only inorganic phosphate consistently and rapidly causes initiation of cell division in suspensions of filamentous forms of the organisms.