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The genetics of fimbriation in Escherichia coli

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  14 April 2009

G. A. Maccacaro
Affiliation:
Medical Research Council, Microbial Genetics Research Unit, Hammersmith Hospital, London, W.12
W. Hayes
Affiliation:
Medical Research Council, Microbial Genetics Research Unit, Hammersmith Hospital, London, W.12
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(1) Fimbriated cells of E. coli K-12 are of two types. In the Fim+ type the expression of fimbriation is susceptible to reversible environmental suppression. This type gives rise to environment-stable mutants termed Fimσ+.

(2) Fimbriated cells can yield two types of non-fimbriated mutant, Fim and Fimσ, the latter arising from populations of Fimσ+ cells. Neither type reverts to the fimbriated state.

(3) Both types of fimbriated and non-fimbriated cells can be distinguished by physiological and genetic criteria.

(4) Fimbriation of both types can be transferred to non-fimbriated cells of both types, and segregates among recombinants, in crosses mediated either by transduction or sexual conjugation.

(5) The genetic control of fimbriation involves at least two determinants, for one of which a chromosomal location (fim) has been mapped.

(6) Certain anomalies of fim segregation are interpreted in terms of negative interference over relatively large regions of the bacterial chromosome.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1961

References

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