Related Experiment Videos
Transfer of Plasmids between Bacillus subtilis and Streptococcus lactis
M Baigorí1, F Sesma, A P de Ruiz Holgado
1Departamento de Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmaceúticas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Suipacha 531, 2000 Rosario, and Centro de Referencia para Lactobacilos, Chacabuco 145, 4000 Tucumán, Republic of Argentina.
Applied and Environmental Microbiology
|May 1, 1988
Summary
Researchers successfully introduced Staphylococcus aureus plasmids into Streptococcus lactis using protoplast fusion. These plasmids showed stable inheritance, suggesting their potential as cloning vectors for lactic streptococci.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetic Engineering
Background:
- Lactic streptococci are important in food fermentation but lack efficient genetic manipulation tools.
- Shuttle and bacterial plasmids are crucial for genetic engineering and molecular studies.
- Intergeneric protoplast fusion is a method for transferring genetic material between different bacterial species.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce shuttle plasmid pGK12 and Staphylococcus aureus plasmids into Streptococcus lactis.
- To assess the stability and inheritance of these plasmids in S. lactis.
- To evaluate the potential of S. aureus plasmids as cloning vectors in lactic streptococci.
Main Methods:
- Intergeneric protoplast fusion between Bacillus subtilis (carrying pGK12) and Streptococcus lactis.
- Introduction of various Staphylococcus aureus plasmids into Streptococcus lactis.
- Selection and cultivation of genetically modified S. lactis strains.
- Plasmid stability and inheritance analysis in S. lactis.
Main Results:
- Successful introduction and stable inheritance of shuttle plasmid pGK12 in S. lactis.
- Stable inheritance of several Staphylococcus aureus plasmids in S. lactis.
- Demonstration of successful intergeneric plasmid transfer and maintenance.
Conclusions:
- Staphylococcus aureus plasmids can be stably maintained in Streptococcus lactis.
- These plasmids hold potential for use as cloning vectors in lactic streptococci.
- Protoplast fusion is an effective method for genetic exchange between B. subtilis and S. lactis.