Does Chi give or take?

In lytic cycle crosses with Red-Gam-lambda phage, particles were examined that had undergone an Int-mediated exchange. It was assumed that this exchange dimerized the circular lambda, making it packageable. Among these Int-mediated recombinants, particles were identified that had, in addition, enjoyed a close double exchange mediated by the RecBC pathway. Such close double exchanges indicate localized negative interference and are analogous to eukaryotic conversions that have retained parental configuration of flanking markers. These events are stimulated by Chi, a recombinator specific to the RecBC pathway. When Chi is present in only one parent in the cross, the complementary double exchange recombinants are Chi stimulated to the same degree. This behavior of Chi contrasts with that of characterized eukaryotic recombinators.