The F pilus of Escherichia coli appears to support stable DNA transfer in the absence of wall-to-wall contact between cells.
Separation of HfrC-F- mating pairs of Escherichia coli by a filter 6 microns thick with straight-through pores 0.01 to 0.1 micron in diameter did not prevent DNA transfer. We conclude that the F pilus alone is capable of acting as a stable conduit for cell-to-cell DNA transfer.
Harrington
L C
LC
Biology Department, St. Lawrence University, Canton, New York 13617.
Rogerson
A C
AC
D001692:Biological Transport; D003227:Conjugation, Genetic; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000378:metabolism*; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D005144:F Factor / Q000502:physiology*; D010861:Fimbriae, Bacterial / Q000502:physiology*; D011995:Recombination, Genetic; D014161:Transduction, Genetic
D004269:DNA, Bacterial