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Plasmids captured in C. metallidurans CH34: defining the PromA family of broad-host-range plasmids

Géraldine A Van der Auwera1, Jaroslaw E Król, Haruo Suzuki

  • 1Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.

Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek
|March 5, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Researchers characterized the broad-host-range plasmid pMOL98, revealing its similarity to other plasmids in the newly named "PromA" group. This group plays a key role in bacterial adaptation and horizontal gene exchange.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Genomics
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Broad-host-range (BHR) plasmids facilitate horizontal gene transfer.
  • The plasmid pMOL98 was previously isolated from polluted soil.
  • pMOL98 shares replicon similarity with BHR plasmids pSB102 and pIPO2.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To perform complete sequence analysis and comparative genomics of pMOL98.
  • To understand the evolutionary relationships and genetic content of pMOL98 within the BHR plasmid family.
  • To define and name a new group of related BHR plasmids.

Main Methods:

  • Complete nucleotide sequence analysis of pMOL98.
  • Comparative genomics with related BHR plasmids (pIPO2, pSB102, pTER331, pMRAD02).
  • Analysis of plasmid backbone and accessory regions, including transposon insertions.

Main Results:

  • pMOL98 (55.5 kb) exhibits extensive sequence similarity and synteny with other BHR plasmids.
  • A conserved plasmid backbone includes replication, partitioning, and conjugative transfer genes.
  • Transposon insertions, particularly in the parA locus, contribute to accessory region variability.
  • A unique transposon in pMOL98 likely originated from the recipient strain's chromosome.

Conclusions:

  • A new BHR plasmid group, named "PromA," is proposed, encompassing pMOL98 and related plasmids.
  • "PromA" plasmids share a common backbone but differ in accessory genes, indicating roles in horizontal gene exchange and bacterial adaptation.
  • Careful screening of both plasmids and host chromosomes is crucial to accurately interpret genomic data.

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