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Delta-Notch Delta-Notch
wrote...
14 years ago
If there is a conjugation event between a Hfr and a F-minus cell a part of the Hfr-cell genome
will be transferred to the F- cell.
The F- cell now has a linear double stranded DNA-Fragment from the Hfr cell next to his own circular genome.
Probably there will be homologous recombination between the circular DNA of the F- and the linear dsDNA-Fragment.
But in the end, the linear dsDNA will be degraded, because it is linear.

But what would happen if the Hfr was able to transfer a copy of it's COMPLETE genome to the F-?
(I know that this won't happen in nature, because it would take too long to transfer such a large DNA, but just in case...)
Could the Hfr genome-copy become in the F- circular and stable? Will the F- have to genomes then?
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wrote...
#1
Staff Member
14 years ago
Hey Delta-Notch,

Generally the HFr strain transfers a plasmid and not the actual chromosome, and this is done via conjugation. A plasmid is an extra piece of circular DNA that carries extra genes - these genes aren't really essential to the life-cycle of the bacteria itself. The chromosome itself is what takes care of the bacteria's life cycle. The only way to get the Hfr's full genome (it's chromosome) into the donor F- cell would be to fuse the two cells together via some kind of electrical charge. The process that you described is called transformation - this is when a linear piece of DNA is taken up by the bacteria and added into the recipients chromosome.
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Delta-Notch Author
wrote...
#2
14 years ago
Sorry, but in this case you are wrong. The picture shows a conjugation between F+ and F- cell.

A Hfr-cell is a cell in which the F-plasmid has integrated into the genome.

Here I've found a pretty good illustration on that: http://academic.pgcc.edu/~kroberts/Lecture/Chapter%207/07-33_HfrConjugation_L.jpg

My question was what would happen if the whole genome of the Hfr was transfered to the F- cell? Will it
be diploid then?

(Under normal conditions only a part of this Hfr genome would be transfered)
wrote...
#3
Educator
14 years ago
Bacteria are haploid, however, following a gene transfer (such as conjugation), they can also be partially diploid (merozygote).

P.S. Great diagram.
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