Biosynthetic requirements for the repair of membrane damage in pressure-treated Escherichia coli

Cells of Escherichia coli that survived pressure treatment at 400 MPa showe d increased sensitivity to sodium deoxycholate or sodium chloride in the pl ating medium, implying that homeostatic or barrier functions associated wit h outer and cytoplasmic membranes, respectively, were impaired. Repair of s uch sublethal membrane damage occurred when cells were incubated at 37 degr eesC in tryptone soya broth. Inhibitor studies indicated that repair of cyt oplasmic membrane damage was energy-dependent and required RNA and protein synthesis, whereas repair of outer membrane damage occurred with no require ment for energy or RNA or protein synthesis. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.