Hfr cell

Hfr cell is a bacterium that has been infected by a bacteriophage and has incorporated the bacteriophage's DNA into its own chromosome. This incorporation allows the bacterium to transfer its own chromosomal DNA to a recipient bacterium during conjugation, a process known as high-frequency recombination (Hfr).

Overview

Hfr cells were first discovered by Luca Cavalli-Sforza in 1951. They are a type of F+ cell, which are bacteria that contain the F (fertility) factor. However, unlike regular F+ cells, Hfr cells have the F factor integrated into their chromosome. This allows them to transfer chromosomal DNA to a recipient F- cell during conjugation.

Conjugation

During conjugation, the Hfr cell forms a pilus that connects it to the recipient F- cell. The Hfr cell then begins to transfer its DNA to the F- cell. The transfer starts at the F factor and continues until the conjugation is interrupted. Because the F factor is usually the last part of the DNA to be transferred, the recipient cell rarely receives the entire F factor and therefore does not become an Hfr cell.

Significance

Hfr cells are important in genetic engineering and molecular biology because they allow for the transfer of large amounts of genetic material. This can be used to create genetic maps or to introduce new traits into a population of bacteria.

See also

• Bacterial conjugation
• F factor
• Genetic recombination

References

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