Summary
For inhibition of DNA synthesis an antibiotic, edeine, acting specifically on DNA replication, was used. The inhibition of DNA synthesis in F− cells caused only small decrease (three to four-fold) in recombination frequency. On the other hand a full inhibition of DNA synthesis in Hfr cells affected the recombination to the high extent, lowering its frequency 20–40 fold, at the same time lowering to the similar degree chromosome transfer (measured by zygotic induction frequency). However, the partial inhibition of DNA synthesis in Hfr cells, amounting to about 10 per cent of the control, permitted normal chromosome transfer and normal level of recombination. The results do not agree with Jacob and Brenner's model of chromosome transfer, yet they do not unequivocally confirm Bouck and Adelberg's model. It is possible that the limited DNA synthesis is necessary for other processes, and not for completing of the replication round. The results do not exclude also, that some residual DNA synthesis in female cells is of importance in mating.
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Piekarowicz, A., Wŀodarczyk, M. & Kunicki-Goldfinger, W. Mechanism of conjugation and recombination in bacteria. Molec. Gen. Genetics 101, 131–139 (1968). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00336579
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00336579