RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN COLICINOGENIC FACTORS E 1 AND V AND AN F FACTOR IN ESCHERICHIA COLI

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Abstract
Kahn, Phyllis L. (Princeton University, Princeton, N.J.), and Donald R. Helinski. Relationship between colicinogenic factors E1 and V and an F factor in Escherichia coli. J. Bacteriol. 88:1573–1579. 1964.—Colicinogenic factors are the genetic determinants for colicin production in enteric bacteria. An examination of the relationship of two colicinogenic factors, colE1 and colV, to the F factor of fertility in Escherichia coli revealed that the colE1 factor does not have the properties of a fertility factor, whereas the colV factor appears to possess a genetic determinant of fertility (Fv). Cells containing colE1 alone do not recombine with F− strains, whereas V+Fv+ strains can recombine, but at a lower frequency for certain markers than cells containing the F factor from E. coli. Strains possessing the colV factor can transfer the V+ and Fv+ properties to an F− recipient, whereas strains harboring colE1 alone are not able to transfer this factor. When a V+Fv+E1+ strain is used as a donor, recipients show Fv+ sexuality characteristics only if they also acquire the ability to produce colicin V. The colV factor is transferred at lower efficiency to F+ than to F− strains, whereas the transfer of colE1 is equally efficient to both. In addition, the V+Fv+F+ colonies isolated segregate V+Fv+F− and V−Fv−F+ cells at high frequency, indicating an incompatibility between the colV and F factors. Finally, under the conditions employed, acridine orange does not remove the colE1 factor, but will remove the colV factor from colicinogenic cells. In every case tested, the V+ and Fv+ characteristics are removed simultaneously by the acridine orange treatment.

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