BipA is required for growth of Escherichia coli K12 at low temperature

The bipA gene encodes a ribosome-associated GTPase postulated to be involved in regulatory functions in enteropathogenic Escherichia coli. Previous studies demonstrated that BipA is tyrosine phosphorylated in EPEC strains, but not in E. coli strain K12. Results presented here indicate that BipA function is required at low temperatures in E. coli K12, suggesting a regulatory role independent of phosphorylation and of pathogenicity.