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. 1978 Sep;135(3):1053–1061. doi: 10.1128/jb.135.3.1053-1061.1978

Cell-cell interactions in conjugating Escherichia coli: role of F pili and fate of mating aggregates.

M Achtman, G Morelli, S Schwuchow
PMCID: PMC222482  PMID: 357413

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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Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

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