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J Bacteriol. 1972 July; 111(1): 177-185
Copyright © 1972 American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

Effect of Zn²⁺ on Bacterial Conjugation: Inhibition of Mating Pair Formation

¹ The Institute for Cancer Research, Fox Chase, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19111

ABSTRACT

Zn²⁺ at 10^–3M has been found to block the formation of mating pairs between Hfr and F^– strains of Escherichia coli as observed both by light microscopy and by Coulter counter measurements. Kinetic studies show that Zn²⁺ reduces the fertility of the male and that its effect disappears within 2 min after Zn²⁺ has been removed from the medium. Short treatments of female cells with Zn²⁺ have no detectable effect on their ability to form mating pairs. Later steps in the mating process such as mobilization of the male chromosome, transfer of the chromosome to the female, or its integration into the female chromosome seem not to be affected by 10^–3M Zn²⁺.

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