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Host cell–plasmid interactions in the expression of DNA donor activity by F + strains of Escherichia coli K‐12
Author(s) -
Silverman Philip M.
Publication year - 1985
Publication title -
bioessays
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.175
H-Index - 184
eISSN - 1521-1878
pISSN - 0265-9247
DOI - 10.1002/bies.950020605
Subject(s) - plasmid , escherichia coli , dna , biology , bacteria , circular bacterial chromosome , genetics , gene , bacterial conjugation , cell , microbiology and biotechnology
DNA transfer directly from cell to cell (conjugation) is common among prokaryotes, particularly Gram‐negative bacteria like Escherichia coli. The phenomenon invariably requires a set of plasmid genes in the DNA donor cell. In addition, E. coli itself makes limited and specific contributions to the donor activity of strains carrying the conjugative plasmid F. These contributions have yet to be defined biochemically, but it is already clear that the cell envelope is an importan nexus between plasmid‐ and chromosome‐encoded proteins required for the establishment and maintenance of DNA donor activity.