[Mechanism of genetic recombination during bacterial recombination. VI. Single-stranded conjugation]

Abstract

The mutation BT43 in the dnaB gene inhibits conjugational DNA synthesis in the recipient cell at 42 degrees C. Since only one DNA strand is transferred from the donor to the recipient in these conditions, this single strand is integrated into the recipient chromosone. This is characterized by a high increase of recombination frequency per length unit, an effect well known in the case of transformation. This peculiar genetic process is proposed to be called "single stranded conjugation". It is more efficient in recipient cells recB-recC-sbcB-lacking two main degrading enzymes, exonucleases I and V. The proof of single strandedness was given by means of clonal analysis in a special experiment. The transfer of the selected marker into the thermosensitive recipient took place at 37 degrees C and the transfer of the non-selected marker -- at 42 degrees C. Thhe progeny of one merozygote must be mixed i.e. consist of cells with both alleles of the non-selected marker. This was confirmed by experimental data.