Protocol for HeLa Cells Infection with Escherichia coli Strains Producing Colibactin and Quantification of the Induced DNA-damage

Strains of Escherichia coli bearing the pks genomic island synthesize the genotoxin colibactin. Exposure of eukaryotic cells to E. coli producing colibactin induces DNA damages, ultimately leading to cell cycle arrest, senescence and death. Here we describe a simple method to demonstrate the genotoxicity of bacteria producing colibactin following a short infection of cultured mammalian cells with pks(+) E. coli.