Forage of DNA bacteria
2006/10/01 Elhuyar Zientzia Iturria: Elhuyar aldizkaria
The bacterium Escherichia coli is fed, by default, by DNA. The researchers have not surprised much, on the one hand because they found the first trace of this capacity about five years ago, and on the other, because there are other bacteria that feed on DNA.
In fact, they have used the genes of these other bacteria as a model to accurately determine which genes are related to the feeding capacity with DNA, and have sought similar genes in the E. coli genome. Once these genes have been identified, some bacteria have undergone mutations in these genes and have investigated their eating behavior.
The conclusion is that the key is in the mentioned genes, that is, when they have no other food, E. coli eats DNA. In addition, they have found more bacteria that feed in the same way.
