DNA FROM SERRATIA-MARCESCENS CONFERS A HYDROPHOBIC CHARACTER IN ESCHERICHIA-COLI

In order to determine whether hydrophobic surface properties of Serrat ia marcescens can be transferred to Escherichia coli, E. coli DH5 alph a cells were transformed by DNA. fragments from S. marcescens RZ. Fift een-hundred E. coli transformants were screened for adhesion to hexade cane and polystyrene. One transformant exhibited increased adhesion to hexadecane droplets, as well as altered kinetics of aggregation in th e presence of ammonium sulfate. Western colony blotting revealed that antibodies raised against S. marcescens RZ recognized component(s) on the transformant outer surface.