FIG 2 .

Conjugative transfer in Enterococcus faecalis. The transfer of plasmid pCF10 from donor cells to recipient cells is mediated by pheromone signaling between the two cell types. Recipient cells secrete the chromosomally encoded peptide cCF10, which is internalized by donor cells and induces the expression of genes involved in the conjugative process. In particular, cells express Asc10, or “aggregation substance,” which mediates a stable interaction between the donor and recipient cells. Subsequent transfer of the pCF10 plasmid from donor cells to recipient cells occurs.