Production of giant cells of Escherichia coli

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Abstract
Giant cells, with volumes up to 500-fold those of normal cells, were produced by both genetic and pharmacological means in E. coli K-12. In the genetic approach, an envB or mon mutation (conferring rounded or irregular morphology) was combined with a lon mutation (block of septation after irradiation). UV irradiation and subsequent incubation for 2-5 h in a rich medium supplemented with 1% NaCl led to production of polymorphic giant cells. In the pharmacological approach, incubation of several different strains of E. coli K-12 with the drug 6-amidinopenicillanic acid (FL1060) in the same rich medium gave rise to a homogeneous population of smoothly rounded giant cells.