Related Experiment Videos
A new insertion sequence, ISCb1, from Clostridium beijernickii NCIMB 8052.
H Liyanage1, P Holcroft, V J Evans
1Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Wales, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, UK.
Journal of Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology
|August 11, 2000
Summary
A novel insertion sequence, ISCb1, found in Clostridium beijerinckii, shows characteristics of bacterial transposases. Despite its presence, ISCb1 is not linked to strain degeneration in solvent-forming clostridia.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Genetics
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Clostridium beijerinckii is known for solvent production.
- Strain degeneration, a loss of solvent-forming potential, is a concern in industrial applications.
- Insertion sequences (IS) are mobile genetic elements that can influence bacterial genomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize a novel insertion sequence, ISCb1, in Clostridium beijerinckii.
- To investigate the potential role of ISCb1 in strain degeneration.
Main Methods:
- DNA sequencing and analysis of ISCb1 element.
- Comparison of ISCb1 codon usage with other C. beijerinckii genes.
- Analysis of ISCb1 profiles in wild-type and mutant strains.
Main Results:
- Nine copies of the 1764 bp ISCb1 element were identified in C. beijerinckii NCIMB 8052.
- ISCb1 contains a 1365 bp open reading frame (ORF) encoding a putative transposase with conserved domains.
- Codon usage suggests potential horizontal gene transfer of ISCb1.
- No evidence links ISCb1 to strain degeneration; spontaneous mutants showed similar ISCb1 profiles to wild-type.
Conclusions:
- ISCb1 is a novel IS4 family insertion sequence in Clostridium beijerinckii.
- ISCb1 is not implicated in the degeneration of solvent-forming ability in these clostridia.
- The element appears to be specific to closely related solvent-forming clostridia.