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F Pilus as f⁺ Antigen

^a Department of Genetics, School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan

ABSTRACT

Specific aggregate formation of F pili was observed, by electron microscopy, in a mixture of male Escherichia coli (or of isolated F pili) and anti-f⁺ serum. Cellular appendages other than F pili never showed such aggregation when mixed with anti-f⁺ serum. The f⁺ agglutinability of male cells, as well as F piliation, was sensitive to mechanical agitation. The f⁺ agglutination was inhibited when appropriate numbers of phage M12, capable of attaching to F pili, were mixed with the male culture before the addition of anti-f⁺ serum. Correlation between f⁺ agglutinability and the extent of F piliation was observed. It was concluded that the F pilus is the structure of the f⁺ antigen and is responsible for f⁺ agglutination.

¹ Present address: Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Dojima, Osaka, Japan.