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Transduction of Myxococcus virescens by coliphage P1CM: generation of plasmids containing both phage and Myxococcus
Abstract:
Chloramphenicol-resistant Myxococcus virescens were obtained by infecting myxococci with Escherichia coli specialized transducing phage P1CM. The drug-resistant myxococci were phenotypically unstable. They contained more than one type of plasmid; these plasmids were not found in the parent strain. Chloramphenicol-resistant E. coli were obtained by transformation with either a fraction of myxococcal DNA containing the plasmids or with P1CM prophage DNA. These transformants contained plasmids. Escherichia coli transformed by DNA from the myxococci contained both P1CM and myxococcal genes. Individual transformant clones differed in the genetic make-up of their plasmids. Among the myxococcal genes expressed in these plasmid-harbouring E. coli strains were a capacity for self-transmissibility and a pattern of phage sensitivity characteristic of R factor incompatibility group W. Escherichia coli transformed with P1CM prophage contained incomplete P1CM genomes; none of the chloramphenicol-resistant transformants produced P1CM phage particles. The significance of these findings for an understanding of mechanisms for the generation of R factors is discussed.
Insights
Researchers generated chloramphenicol-resistant Myxococcus virescens using Escherichia coli phage P1CM. These resistant strains contained plasmids, enabling gene transfer and R factor characteristics in E. coli, offering insights into R factor generation.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Myxococcus virescens can acquire antibiotic resistance.
- Escherichia coli phage P1CM is a specialized transducing phage.
- Plasmids play a crucial role in horizontal gene transfer and antibiotic resistance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the generation of antibiotic resistance in Myxococcus virescens.
- To characterize the plasmids involved in chloramphenicol resistance.
- To understand the mechanisms of R factor generation.
Main Methods:
- Infection of Myxococcus virescens with P1CM phage.
- Transformation of Escherichia coli with myxococcal DNA and P1CM prophage.
- Plasmid analysis and gene expression studies.
Main Results:
- Chloramphenicol-resistant Myxococcus virescens strains were successfully generated.
- These resistant strains harbored plasmids not present in the parent strain.
- Transformed E. coli expressed myxococcal genes, including self-transmissibility and R factor incompatibility group W characteristics.
Conclusions:
- The study demonstrates a mechanism for generating R factors through plasmid acquisition and gene transfer.
- Myxococcal plasmids can confer antibiotic resistance and R factor traits to E. coli.
- Findings contribute to understanding the evolution and spread of antibiotic resistance.