Basic characterization of W-pili.

D E Bradley; D R Cohen

doi:10.1099/00221287-97-1-91

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Basic characterization of W-pili.

D E Bradley·D R Cohen

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Abstract

The bacterial drug-resistance plasmids Sa, R388 and R7K that comprise the W compatability group were transferred by conjugation to species in the genera Escherichia, Salmonella, Shigella and Pseudomonas, chosen for their lack of common pili. On receiving the W plasmids, all strains produced pili, which were similar morphologically, at average frequencies of up to 3-0 pila/cell. The pili determined by the W plasmids were also related serologically, but unrelated to those of other plasmids. R- segregant strains which had lost their plasmids showed a simultaneous loss of both pili and drug-resistance characteristics. W-pili are pointed flexible filaments 10 to 12 nm thick, with an average length of 450 nm. The best host found was Salmonella typhimurium.

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Bacteria Cell Wall Conjugation, Genetic Drug Resistance, Microbial Escherichia coli Mutation Pseudomonas aeruginosa R Factors Salmonella typhimurium Species Specificity Journal Article

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D E Bradley, D R Cohen. 1976. Basic characterization of W-pili.. https://doi.org/10.1099/00221287-97-1-91

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