N-mating in Escherichia coli is promoted by foaming.
Foaming pro9moted the conjugal transfer of IncN plasmid R269N-1 in Escherichia coli; the theoretical basis of this phenomenon is described. The hypothesis that N-mating in conventional (non-foaming) liquid media is precluded by the fragility of the N-pilus is questioned. The environmental significance of foaming is briefly considered.
D003227:Conjugation, Genetic; D003470:Culture Media; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D010861:Fimbriae, Bacterial; D010957:Plasmids; D013499:Surface Properties
D003470:Culture Media