THE EFFECT OF ACRIDINE DYES ON MATING TYPE FACTORS IN ESCHERICHIA COLI

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Abstract
Acridine orange converts F+ (male) clones of E. coli into stable F- (female) forms. The main factors which affect the rate of conversion of F+ to F- are the concentration of acridinium ions in the treating medium and the growth of the treated cells in the presence of the dye. Furthermore, the accessibility of F to acridine treatment depends upon the state of F in the host cell. Acridine orange increases the frequency of conversion from F+ to F- directly without appreciable selective growth. The conversion from F+ to F- is irreversible, as expected for the loss of a genetic particle. Hfr males are resistant to the disinfecting action of acridine dyes. These results are well accounted for by the dual nature of F, chromosomal F, and plasmid F.