The "nic" site or nick region is found within the origin of transfer ("oriT") site and is a key in starting bacterial conjugation. A single strand of DNA, called the T-strand, is cut at "nic" by an enzyme called relaxase. This single strand is eventually transferred to the recipient cell during the process of bacterial conjugation. Before this cleavage can occur, however, it is necessary for a group of proteins to attach to the "oriT" site. This group of proteins is called the relaxosome. It is thought that portions of the "oriT" site are bent in a way that creates interaction between the relaxosome proteins and the "nic" site.