Molecular cloning of DNA from F sex factor of Escherichia coli K-12.

Abstract
We describe the molecular cloning of various DNA segments generated by partial EcoRI endonuclease digestion of the sex factor F. These segments have been analyzed by agarose gel electrophoresis of EcoRI digests and were arranged in a series of overlapping fragments using the EcoRI fragment map of F established by H. Ohtsubo and E. Ohtsubo. The clones isolated demonstrate one or more of the following F-specified functions: inhibition of female-specific phage (T7) multiplication, formation of F pili, surface exclusion, or immunity to lethal zygosis. These properties are discussed in terms of the EcoRI fragments of F that specify them.