Nature 234, 222 - 223 (26 November 1971); doi:10.1038/234222a0

Compatibility Groups among fi^- R Factors

NAOMI DATTA & R. W. HEDGES

Department of Bacteriology, Royal Postgraduate Medical School, DuCane Road, London W12

TRANSMISSIBLE R factors in bacteria are divisible into two main classes, fi ⁺ (fertility inhibition ⁺) and fi ^-, according to their effect on F mediated conjugation¹. fi ⁺ R factors determine F-like pili². Some fi ^- R factors determine pili similar to those specified by col I (I-type pili)³ which can be recognized as receptors for I-specific phages like If1 (ref. 4). Although heterogeneity among fi ^- R factors has already been indicated⁵⁻⁸, it is sometimes assumed that all fi ^- R factors have I pili^9,10.

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