Low recombination frequency for markers very near the origin in conjugation in<i>E. coli</i>

Abstract

By performing matings using various Hfr strains having different origins of transfer, it has been observed that male chromosomal markers located very near the origin of transfer in conjugation in E. coli appear in recombinants with a lower frequency than expected from an extrapolation of the transfer gradient. The effect is greatest for markers closest to the origin, and becomes negligible for markers transferred more than 4–5 min. after the origin. The results suggest that in the zygote a random cross-over between male and female genomes is necessary somewhere between the origin and any male marker in order for that marker to appear in a viable recombinant. It was also deduced that the entry time for the origin itself occurs after a 3–5 min. delay after mixing male and female cells together.