Cell-cell Interactions in Conjugating Escherichia Coli: Role of F Pili and Fate of Mating Aggregates

Overview

Journal J Bacteriol

Publisher American Society for Microbiology

Specialty Microbiology

Date 1978 Sep 1

PMID 357413

Citations 36

Authors

M Achtman

G Morelli

S Schwuchow

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Bacterial conjugation between Escherichia coli cells was investigated by a combination of physical and genetic techniques, using Hfr, F', or R+ donors and F- recipients. DNA transfer occurred in mating aggregates of up to 50 cells. Multiple interactions between donor and recipient cells occurred, and both F- pilus connections and wall-to-wall contacts were detectable. The detectable F- pilus contacts could be destroyed without either disrupting the mating aggregates or preventing DNA transfer. Hfr X F- mating aggregates did not disaggregate even though recombinant frequencies were inversely proportional to the distance from the origin of DNA transfer. F' or R+ donors formed mating aggregates with F- cells which disaggregated soon after transfer of the autonomous sex factor DNA.

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