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Science 11 August 2006:
Vol. 313. no. 5788, p. 729
DOI: 10.1126/science.313.5788.729m
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This Week in Science
A functional nonribosomal peptide polyketide synthase (pks) gene cluster on a genomic island has been discovered in Escherichia coli that induces DNA double-strand breaks in the infected host-cell DNA and in turn causes a block in mitosis. Nougayrède et al. (p. 848; see the Perspective by Hayashi) found that the pks island is widely distributed in commensal E. coli strains and is even found in a strain used as a probiotic agent. The genotoxic effect may be exploited by the bacteria to slow the rate of renewal of the intestinal epithelium by blocking the cell cycle. Thus, the relation between pathogenicity and commensalism may be more complicated than has been assumed. These findings may provide clues about the role of microorganisms in the development of colonic cancers.
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Science. ISSN 0036-8075 (print), 1095-9203 (online)
