Initiation and termination of DNA transfer at F plasmid oriT

DNA sequences within the F plasmid transfer origin (oriT) were tested for their ability to initiate or terminate conjugal transfer. Mutant and wild-type oriT elements were cloned as direct repetitions flanking the rpsL gene on a pBR322-based plasmid, and the frequency of deletion of this segment during matings sponsored by F'lac (F42) with streptomycin-resistant recipients was measured. Shortened oriT elements that lacked adjacent TraM-binding sites allowed efficient initiation and termination. Some truncated oriT segments lacking the TraM-binding sites and the TraY-binding site, sbyA, initiated transfer inefficiently, but nevertheless promoted efficient termination. Removal of TraM-, TraY-, and IHF-binding sites severely reduced both nicking and termination. Point mutations that previously had been reported to prevent nicking caused reduced levels of both initiation and termination. These results indicate that regions of oriT supporting initiation are more extensive than those needed for termination, although some regions are required for both. Moreover, termination can be effective for some mutant loci that do not support efficient nicking.