Chromosome replication and cell division in plasmid-containing Escherichia coli B/r.
The kinetics of chromosome replication and cell division have been examined in recA mutants of Escherichia coli B/r containing F' plasmids of various sizes. Plasmid-mediated alterations in growth properties were detected only with the presence of the larger F' plasmids, and were reflected in decreased mean cell sizes and growth rates. The lengths of C and D in all plasmid-containing strains were in accord with the values for plasmid-free parental strains growing with similar generations times. The findings were consistent with an absence of competition between the chromosomal and extrachromosomal replicons for rate-limiting components involved in the initiation of deoxyribonucleic acid synthesis or in the elongation of deoxyribonucleic acid chains.
D002455:Cell Division; D002876:Chromosomes, Bacterial / Q000378:metabolism*; D004261:DNA Replication; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000166:cytology / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D005144:F Factor; D009154:Mutation; D011995:Recombination, Genetic
D004269:DNA, Bacterial