On the origin of high negative interference over short segments of the genetic structure of bacteriophage T4

Abstract

High negative interference is observed in biparental crosses involving three closely linked rII markers, as reported by Chase and Doermann. Recombination values were measured in a series of crosses in which the relative frequencies of the two parents were systematically varied. From an analysis of these data, it is concluded that the high negative interference is due, primarily, to a high correlation of neighboring recombinational events resulting from a single mating. In triparental crosses, a smaller negative interference occurs. This demonstrates correlation of recombinational events which occur in different matings. In triparental (as in biparental) crosses, negative interference is demonstrable only between closely linked markers. Under appropriate experimental conditions, as many as 30 T4 phages can participate in intracellular growth in Escherichia coli strain B.