Protein transfer into the recipient cell during bacterial conjugation: studies with F and RP4

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Transfer of donor cell proteins to the recipient bacterium was examined in F- and RP4-mediated conjugation. Transfer of a 120 kD polypeptide, identified as the larger product of the plasmid DNA primase gene, was readily detected during RP4-promoted conjugation. The protein was transmitted to the cytoplasm of the recipient, presumably complexed to the transferred ssDNA. F DNA was transferred without detectable association with any cytoplasmic tra protein or with the ssDNA-binding protein encoded by the plasmid. However, a 92 kD protein, possibly F TraD product, was transmitted to the membrane fraction of the recipient cell.