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Updated: Oct 1, 2026

Long-Read Plasmid Sequencing and Assembly Using Nanopore Sequencing-Based Workflows
Published on: July 7, 2026
Complete nucleotide sequence of plasmid Rts1: implications for evolution of large plasmid genomes
Takahiro Murata1, Makoto Ohnishi, Takeshi Ara
1Department of Bacteriology, Shinshu University School of Medicine, 3-1-1 Asahi, Matsumoto, Nagano 390-8621, Japan.
Abstract:
Rts1, a large conjugative plasmid originally isolated from Proteus vulgaris, is a prototype for the IncT plasmids and exhibits pleiotropic thermosensitive phenotypes. Here we report the complete nucleotide sequence of Rts1. The genome is 217,182 bp in length and contains 300 potential open reading frames (ORFs). Among these, the products of 141 ORFs, including 9 previously identified genes, displayed significant sequence similarity to known proteins. The set of genes responsible for the conjugation function of Rts1 has been identified. A broad array of genes related to diverse processes of DNA metabolism were also identified. Of particular interest was the presence of tus-like genes that could be involved in replication termination. Inspection of the overall genome organization revealed that the Rts1 genome is composed of four large modules, providing an example of modular evolution of plasmid genomes.
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