title: Basic characterization of W-pili.
abstract: The bacterial drug-resistance plasmids Sa, R388 and R7K that comprise the W compatability group were transferred by conjugation to species in the genera Escherichia, Salmonella, Shigella and Pseudomonas, chosen for their lack of common pili. On receiving the W plasmids, all strains produced pili, which were similar morphologically, at average frequencies of up to 3-0 pila/cell. The pili determined by the W plasmids were also related serologically, but unrelated to those of other plasmids. R- segregant strains which had lost their plasmids showed a simultaneous loss of both pili and drug-resistance characteristics. W-pili are pointed flexible filaments 10 to 12 nm thick, with an average length of 450 nm. The best host found was Salmonella typhimurium.
mesh_terms: D001419:Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D002473:Cell Wall / Q000648:ultrastructure; D003227:Conjugation, Genetic; D004352:Drug Resistance, Microbial; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009154:Mutation; D011550:Pseudomonas aeruginosa / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure; D011815:R Factors; D012486:Salmonella typhimurium / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013045:Species Specificity