Abstract
IT is difficult to isolate the DNA of Escherichia coli episomes because its physical and biological properties are similar to those of the bacterial chromosome. We have solved this problem by isolating the R factor in minicells, tiny DNA-less cells resulting from abnormal cell division of an E. coli mutant1. Minicells have been used as recipients for DNA transfer from normal cells2, but in general, except with F factor alone, the transferred DNA remains as a non-replicating single strand2.
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LEVY, S., NORMAN, P. Segregation of Transferable R Factors into Escherichia coli Minicells. Nature 227, 606–607 (1970). https://doi.org/10.1038/227606a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/227606a0
Further reading
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Fate of conjugally transferred DNA in minicells of Escherichia coli K-12
Molecular and General Genetics MGG (1974)
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Proteins synthesized by a non-induced bacteriocinogenic factor in minicells of Escherichia coli
Molecular and General Genetics MGG (1972)
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Compatibility Groups among fi− R Factors
Nature (1971)
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Isolation of Catenated Forms of R Factor DNA from Minicells
Nature New Biology (1971)
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