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From Genetics by Ursula Goodenough

E.coli harboring an F element are endowed with a number of phenotypic traits :

1.They are sensitive to infection by ssRNA phages and certain ssDNA phages.

2.They resist the growth of female specific phages as T3 and T7.

What is the molecular mechanism behind this sensitivity and resistance ?

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  1. Some bacteriophages adsorb on the pili. So the individuals carrying the F-element will be susceptible to these.
  2. F-plasmid encoded membrane protein PifA is responsible for the T7 resistance [See here]. The exact mechanism is not known

If you see the list of references in the textbook chapter you will be able to trace the reference for a certain quoted fact

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