Evidence of DNA transfer through F-pilus channels during Escherichia coli conjugation

An Chi Shu; Chien Chen Wu; Yi Yang Chen; Hwei Ling Peng; Hwan You Chang; Tri Rung Yew

doi:10.1021/la703384n

Evidence of DNA transfer through F-pilus channels during Escherichia coli conjugation

An Chi Shu, Chien Chen Wu, Yi Yang Chen, Hwei Ling Peng, Hwan You Chang, Tri Rung Yew^*

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal Article › peer-review

24 Scopus citations

Abstract

The mechanism of DNA transfer from Escherichia coli (E. coli) Hfr donor strain AT2453 to recipient strain AB1157 during the conjugation process has been investigated by liquid atomic force microscopy (AFM). With the success of immobilizing both E. coli strains on gelatin-treated glass under aqueous solution, the F-pilus between an E. coli mating pair could be clearly imaged and dissected by an AFM probe. Another AFM probe functionalized with an anti-single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) antibody was then applied to detect transferring ssDNA. According to the AFM force spectrum, the transferring ssDNA could be detected only in the dissected area with a binding force of 109 ± 5 pN measured. Our results provide direct evidence indicating that the DNA was transferred through the F-pilus channel between an E. coli mating pair during their conjugation.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	6796-6802
Number of pages	7
Journal	Langmuir
Volume	24
Issue number	13
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1021/la703384n
State	Published - 01 07 2008
Externally published	Yes

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title = "Evidence of DNA transfer through F-pilus channels during Escherichia coli conjugation",

abstract = "The mechanism of DNA transfer from Escherichia coli (E. coli) Hfr donor strain AT2453 to recipient strain AB1157 during the conjugation process has been investigated by liquid atomic force microscopy (AFM). With the success of immobilizing both E. coli strains on gelatin-treated glass under aqueous solution, the F-pilus between an E. coli mating pair could be clearly imaged and dissected by an AFM probe. Another AFM probe functionalized with an anti-single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) antibody was then applied to detect transferring ssDNA. According to the AFM force spectrum, the transferring ssDNA could be detected only in the dissected area with a binding force of 109 ± 5 pN measured. Our results provide direct evidence indicating that the DNA was transferred through the F-pilus channel between an E. coli mating pair during their conjugation.",

author = "Shu, {An Chi} and Wu, {Chien Chen} and Chen, {Yi Yang} and Peng, {Hwei Ling} and Chang, {Hwan You} and Yew, {Tri Rung}",

year = "2008",

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doi = "10.1021/la703384n",

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T1 - Evidence of DNA transfer through F-pilus channels during Escherichia coli conjugation

AU - Shu, An Chi

AU - Wu, Chien Chen

AU - Chen, Yi Yang

AU - Peng, Hwei Ling

AU - Chang, Hwan You

AU - Yew, Tri Rung

PY - 2008/7/1

Y1 - 2008/7/1

N2 - The mechanism of DNA transfer from Escherichia coli (E. coli) Hfr donor strain AT2453 to recipient strain AB1157 during the conjugation process has been investigated by liquid atomic force microscopy (AFM). With the success of immobilizing both E. coli strains on gelatin-treated glass under aqueous solution, the F-pilus between an E. coli mating pair could be clearly imaged and dissected by an AFM probe. Another AFM probe functionalized with an anti-single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) antibody was then applied to detect transferring ssDNA. According to the AFM force spectrum, the transferring ssDNA could be detected only in the dissected area with a binding force of 109 ± 5 pN measured. Our results provide direct evidence indicating that the DNA was transferred through the F-pilus channel between an E. coli mating pair during their conjugation.

AB - The mechanism of DNA transfer from Escherichia coli (E. coli) Hfr donor strain AT2453 to recipient strain AB1157 during the conjugation process has been investigated by liquid atomic force microscopy (AFM). With the success of immobilizing both E. coli strains on gelatin-treated glass under aqueous solution, the F-pilus between an E. coli mating pair could be clearly imaged and dissected by an AFM probe. Another AFM probe functionalized with an anti-single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) antibody was then applied to detect transferring ssDNA. According to the AFM force spectrum, the transferring ssDNA could be detected only in the dissected area with a binding force of 109 ± 5 pN measured. Our results provide direct evidence indicating that the DNA was transferred through the F-pilus channel between an E. coli mating pair during their conjugation.

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DO - 10.1021/la703384n

M3 - 文章

C2 - 18522439

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SN - 0743-7463

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JO - Langmuir

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Evidence of DNA transfer through F-pilus channels during Escherichia coli conjugation

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