F plasmid genes involved in the production of recombination-stimulating factor, control of sensitivity to some injurious agents, and chromosome replication in Escherichia coli K-12 HfrC.

Three related F'arg+ plasmids isolated by Guyer and Clark were used to analyze some properties of strain MG751, a recipient derivative of an HfrC mutant (MG7) carrying a previously described pleiotropic mutation in the integrated F plasmid. Strains MG7 and MG751 both failed to produce recombination-stimulating factor, were sensitive to monofunctional alkylating agents and UV irradiation, and were temperature sensitive for growth and DNA synthesis. It was shown that these phenotypes are controlled by F plasmids genes (designated rsf, prt, and rep) that can be separated by deletion mutations occurring on the F plasmid.