Bacterial conjugation between Escherichia coli cells was investigated by a combination of physical and genetic techniques, using Hfr, F', or R+ donors and F-recipients. DNA transfer occurred in mating aggregates of up to 50 cells. Multiple interactions between donor and recipient cells occurred, and both Fpilus connections and wall-to-wall contacts were detectable. The detectable Fpilus contacts could be destroyed without either disrupting the mating aggregates or preventing DNA transfer. Hfr x F-mating aggregates did not disaggregate even though recombinant frequencies were inversely proportional to the distance from the origin of DNA transfer. F' or R+ donors formed mating aggregates with F-cells which disaggregated soon after transfer of the autonomous sex factor DNA.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.