What does colicine mean?
Colicine is a noun denoting an antibacterial substance — specifically a protein — produced by certain strains of the bacterium Escherichia coli. These proteins, more commonly called colicins in modern usage, act as biological weapons: the producing bacterium releases them into its environment, where they bind to and destroy or inhibit other, closely related bacterial strains, thereby reducing competition for resources. Colicines were among the first bacteriocins to be described and have been valuable tools in molecular biology research, particularly in studies of membrane transport and protein import into cells. The word is technical in register, appearing almost exclusively in microbiology, biochemistry, and medical literature rather than everyday speech. It is easily confused with colchicine, a gout medication of entirely unrelated origin, so care with spelling matters. For students of biology, colicine offers a memorable example of how even single-celled organisms wage chemical warfare on their rivals.
nounAn antibacterial protein produced by certain strains of Escherichia coli that kills or inhibits other closely related bacteria; also known as a colicin.
- An antibacterial protein (bacteriocin) produced by strains of Escherichia coli that lyses or inhibits related bacterial strains.
"The strain's production of colicine allowed it to outcompete neighbouring bacteria in the gut."
"The bacterium secreted colicine into its surroundings, killing off competing strains."
"Early microbiologists classified colicine as one of the first described bacteriocins."
Regular plural; typically used when discussing multiple distinct types of the protein.
"Different strains produce different colicines, each targeting a specific receptor."
Long before antibiotics were understood, scientists noticed some E. coli strains could kill their neighbours — the weapons they use are called colicines.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of colicine
Colicine derives from the genus name Escherichia coli, itself named after the German paediatrician Theodor Escherich, combined with the suffix '-ine' used for chemical substances. The term arose in early 20th-century microbiology when researchers observed that some E. coli strains produced agents lethal to related bacteria. Its modern synonym 'colicin' follows the same construction.
How colicine is actually used
A technical term used mainly in microbiology and biochemistry. The spelling 'colicin' is now more common in modern scientific literature; 'colicine' is the older form.
Easily confused with colicine
Colchicine is a drug derived from autumn crocus used to treat gout, whereas colicine is an antibacterial toxin produced by E. coli.