Mapping of the genetic determinant controlling Salmonella K-antigen synthesis. I. Localization of the determinant in conjugation experiments

The preliminary data on the localization of the gene responsible for the synthesis of K-antigen in salmonellae were obtained. Using Salmonella Hfr donors with different onset of the transfer of chromosomal markers and with phenotype K+, the authors selected different classes of recombinants in the process of their crossing with K- recipients. The positive result of the agglutination test with specific K-antiserum indicated that the transconjugate thus obtained possessed phenotype K+. The gene responsible for the synthesis of K-antigen was shown to be localized between minutes 46 and 41 of the genetic map of S. typhimurium. This gene was not cotransduced with the histidine marker localized on minute 44 of the map.