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. 1970 Jul;103(1):81–88. doi: 10.1128/jb.103.1.81-88.1970

Comparisons of F Factors and R Factors: Existence of Independent Regulation Groups in F Factors

Trudy G Morrison 1, Michael H Malamy 1
PMCID: PMC248041  PMID: 4912532

Abstract

The similarity of sex pili mediated by F factors and R(fi+) factors and the ability of R(fi+) factors to control by repression the functioning of pilus genes encoded by the F factor suggested that F factors and R(fi+) factors are closely related. Further comparisons of the episomal properties of F factors and R(fi+) factors, however, indicated many differences. F factors contain information for a restriction system for phages φII and T7. Cells containing R factors are sensitive to these phages. Furthermore, R(fi+) factors do not repress the F factor φII restriction system in cells containing both an R(fi+) factor and an F factor. R factors and F factors are heteroimmune episomes. In addition, an R(fi+) factor in cells containing both an R factor and an F factor does not fully repress the expression of F-factor immunity to an incoming second F factor. R-factor and F-factor replication systems are not identical. Wild-type F-factor replication genes will complement the mutant Fts114lac+ replication genes in cells containing two F factors. The Fts114lac+ episome is retained when these cells are grown at 42 C; however, cells containing an R(fi+) factor and Fts114lac+ lose the Fts114lac+ when grown at 42 C, at the same rate as cells containing only the Fts114lac+. The replication system of the R(fi+) factor will not complement the mutant Fts114lac+ replication system.

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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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