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Published January 1973 | Published
Journal Article Open

Genetic Analysis of Flagellar Mutants in Escherichia coli

Abstract

Flagellar mutants in Escherichia coli were obtained by selection for resistance to the flagellotropic phage χ. F elements covering various regions of the E. coli genome were then constructed, and, on the basis of the ability of these elements to restore flagellar function, the mutations were assigned to three regions of the E. coli chromosome. Region I is between trp and gal; region II is between uvrC and aroD; and region III is between his and uvrC. F elements carrying flagellar mutations were constructed. Stable merodiploid strains with a flagellar defect on the exogenote and another on the endogenote were then prepared. These merodiploids yielded information on the complementation behavior of mutations in a given region. Region III was shown to include at least six cistrons, A, B, C, D, E, and F. Region II was shown to include at least four cistrons, G, H, I, and J. Examination of the phenotypes of the mutants revealed that those with lesions in cistron E of region III produce "polyhooks" and lesions in cistron F of region III result in loss of ability to produce flagellin. Mutants with lesions in cistron J of region II were entirely paralyzed (mot) mutants. Genetic analysis of flagellar mutations in region III suggested that the mutations located in cistrons A, B, C, and E are closely linked and mutations in cistrons D and F are closely linked.

Additional Information

© 1973 American Society for Microbiology. Received for publication 21 September 1972. We wish to thank Marcia Hilmen and Michael Kaiser for their excellent assistance and advice during this work. This investigation was supported by the National Science Foundation research grant GB-15655. M.R.S. was supported by Public Health Service genetic training grant GM-00702 from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences.

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August 19, 2023
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