F-Pilus Structure and Biosynthesis. Bacterial conjugation is a contact-dependent horizontal gene transfer mechanism that involves a conjugative pilus associated with a T4SS.

Does conjugation use a pilus?

During conjugation, a pilus emerging from the donor bacterium ensnares the recipient bacterium, draws it in close, and eventually triggers the formation of a mating bridge, which establishes direct contact and the formation of a controlled pore that allows transfer of DNA from the donor to the recipient.

Is an F plasmid required for conjugation?

The F plasmid is an example of a large plasmid, which contains genes that allow the plasmids DNA to be transferred between cells. It is found in the bacterium E. ... This joining via a pilus in order to transfer DNA between bacteria is known as conjugation. Therefore the F plasmid is known as a conjugative plasmid.