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Loss of R Factors Promoted by Bacteriophage M13 and the M13 Carrier State

Department of Biology, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

ABSTRACT

The infection of different Hfr strains of Escherichia coli bearing derepressed R factors of the fi⁺ or fi^– type can result in the loss of the R factor and the conversion of the infected cells to the R^– state. This extends earlier observations on the elimination of F' factors by bacteriophage M13 infection. Variability in the efficiency of this conversion can arise because of genetic factors independent of the R factor being eliminated. A fraction of the infected but unconverted R⁺ cells were M13 carrier strains. The carrier state had an intracellular basis, and single R⁺ cells could maintain the carrier state.