Effects of the virulence plasmid ColV, I-K94 on the sensitivity of Escherichia coli to putative environmental inhibitory agents.

Derivatives of Escherichia coli carrying the virulence plasmid, ColV, I-K94 were more resistant than the ColV- parents to phage Mel but were more sensitive to the hydrophobic inhibitors deoxycholate, erythromycin and lysozyme. The basis for these changes in sensitivity has been examined in ColV+ mutants with altered colicin or VmpA protein levels and in ColV+ strains with repressed transfer properties.