Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 17, 2026

Conjugative Mating Assays for Sequence-specific Analysis of Transfer Proteins Involved in Bacterial Conjugation
10:41

Conjugative Mating Assays for Sequence-specific Analysis of Transfer Proteins Involved in Bacterial Conjugation

Published on: January 4, 2017

Detection of conjugation related type four secretion machinery in Aeromonas culicicola

Ashraf Yusuf Rangrez1, Kannayakanahalli Maheshwarappa Dayananda, Santosh Atanur

  • 1Molecular Biology Unit, National Centre for Cell Science, Pune University Campus, Pune, Maharashtra, India.

Plos One
|January 6, 2007
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Aeromonas culicicola harbors a novel Conjugal Type IV Secretion System (TFSS) on its pAc3249A plasmid. This AcTra system shares significant genetic similarity with the IncI2 plasmid R721 in E. coli.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Genetics
  • Bacterial Pathogenesis

Background:

  • Aeromonas sp. are increasingly recognized as common enteropathogens.
  • Aeromonas culicicola, a gram-negative bacterium, is found in various environments.
  • A. culicicola possesses three plasmids: pAc3249A, pAc3249B, and pAc3249C.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the existence and genetic organization of a Conjugal Type IV Secretion System (TFSS) within the pAc3249A plasmid of A. culicicola.

Main Methods:

  • Bioinformatic analysis, including BLAST searches and phylogenetic analysis.
  • Identification and characterization of open reading frames (ORFs) within the identified operon.
  • Prediction of conserved motifs, signal peptides, and transmembrane helices for the ORFs.

Main Results:

  • A complete operon of 11,061 bp, designated AcTra, was identified on pAc3249A, encoding 12 ORFs.
  • The AcTra system exhibits significant genetic and protein similarity to the IncI2 plasmid R721 found in E. coli.
  • Bioinformatic analyses provided insights into the functional domains and structural features of the AcTra system components.

Conclusions:

  • The pAc3249A plasmid of A. culicicola harbors a functional Conjugal Type IV Secretion System (TFSS).
  • The AcTra system represents a novel TFSS with strong homology to known systems in other bacteria, suggesting conserved mechanisms of conjugation.

More Related Videos

Generation of Null Mutants to Elucidate the Role of Bacterial Glycosyltransferases in Bacterial Motility12:29

Generation of Null Mutants to Elucidate the Role of Bacterial Glycosyltransferases in Bacterial Motility

Published on: March 11, 2022

Detection of Horizontal Gene Transfer Mediated by Natural Conjugative Plasmids in E. coli06:56

Detection of Horizontal Gene Transfer Mediated by Natural Conjugative Plasmids in E. coli

Published on: March 24, 2023

Related Concept Videos

Mechanism of Conjugation01:19

Mechanism of Conjugation

Bacterial conjugation is a mechanism of horizontal gene transfer that enables the exchange of genetic material between bacterial cells through direct contact. This process is facilitated by a donor cell carrying a conjugative plasmid, which encodes genes necessary for pilus formation, DNA replication, and transfer. The conjugative plasmid plays a central role in initiating and executing the transfer of genetic material.The tra region of the conjugative plasmid encodes proteins responsible for...
Conjugation01:19

Conjugation

Conjugation is a form of horizontal gene transfer that primarily occurs in bacteria and some archaea, promoting genetic diversity and adaptation. Bacteria can acquire resistance genes through conjugative plasmids, allowing them to survive antibiotic treatments that would otherwise be lethal. This process involves direct contact between cells through specialized structures such as the sex pilus and is mediated by conjugative plasmids, including the F (fertility) factor.Conjugation requires...
Fimbriae, Pili, and Axial Filaments01:28

Fimbriae, Pili, and Axial Filaments

Fimbriae and pili are specialized bacterial surface structures that play pivotal roles in adhesion, genetic exchange, and motility. Composed primarily of pilin protein, these hairlike appendages are crucial for bacterial survival and pathogenicity in various environments.Fimbriae: Adhesion and PathogenicityFimbriae are fine, filamentous structures measuring 2–10 nanometers in diameter and are densely distributed on the bacterial cell surface. They facilitate bacterial adhesion to abiotic...
Surface Appendages of Archaea01:23

Surface Appendages of Archaea

Archaeal surface appendages are highly specialized structures essential for environmental adaptation, encompassing roles in adhesion, biofilm formation, and motility. Among these appendages, pili and archaella stand out for their distinct morphologies and functionalities, enabling archaea to thrive in diverse and often extreme environments.Pili: Adhesion and Biofilm FormationPili are filamentous structures assembled from pilin protein subunits, primarily contributing to adhesion and biofilm...