Formation of catenated colicin factor E1 deoxyribonucleic acid molecules in a recombination-deficient strain of Escherichia coli.

Catenated deoxyribonucleic acid molecules of colicin factor E1 (Col E1) were found with nearly equal frequency in minicells derived from Escherichia coli strain P678-54 recA(+) (Col E1) and P678-54 recA(-) (Col E1). The result suggests that the recombination function controlled by the recA gene does not influence the formation of catenated Col E1.