This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Reprints and Permissions Copyright Information Books from ASM Press MicrobeWorld Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Skurray, R. A. Articles by Reeves, P. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Skurray, R. A. Articles by Reeves, P.

Characterization of Lethal Zygosis Associated with Conjugation in Escherichia coli K-12

¹ Department of Microbiology, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia 5001

ABSTRACT

When F^– cells are mixed with an excess of Hfr cells there is a lethal event which results in a decrease in the number of F^– survivors. We have described and discussed the parameters affecting this phenomenon of lethal zygosis, and these include the cultural conditions of both donor and recipient cells prior to mixing and the use of aeration throughout the period of the experiment. The absence of lethal zygosis with filtrates and supernatant fluids from donors suggests a dependence on direct cell-cell contact as found in conjugation. The phenomenon, which is normally observed in liquid media, also occurs on solid media, and use of these two methods has allowed examination of strains of different mating types. Whereas most Hfr strains capable of producing normal yields of recombinants showed killing activity, no F⁺ and only one F' donor produced lethal zygosis. Only F^– strains were sensitive to this phenomenon. The relationship between lethal zygosis and the various stages of conjugation is discussed.

This article has been cited by other articles:

• Hopwood, D. A. (1999). Forty years of genetics with Streptomyces: from in vivo through in vitro to in silico. Microbiology 145: 2183-2202 [Full Text]