Deletion Map of the Escherichia coli K-12 Sex Factor F: the Order of Eleven Transfer Cistrons

Abstract

A series of Hfr deletion mutants was isolated. These mutants contain deletions which extend from a λ prophage into an F lac which is integrated into the gal operon. Transfer-deficient deletion mutants were found to fall into four different phenotypic groups when tested for male- and female-specific phage resistance. Conjugational and transductional complementation tests with F lac point mutants deficient in transfer ( tra − ) were performed, and the order of 11 tra cistrons was determined. The tra genes are all located between an F gene for the inhibition of female-specific phages and the transposed lac operon originally carried by the F lac . The order of genes in the Hfr studied was established to be: pro C... φ II R ... traJ traA traE traK traB traC traF traH traG traD traI...lac...attλ...bio .