Construction of broad-host-range plasmid vectors for easy visible selection and analysis of promoters

We have constructed a series of broad-host-range plasmids which use "visual screens" to detect promoter activity. These plasmids contain the pMB1 and pRO1600 origins of replication and are capable of replicating in a wide range of gram-negative bacteria. The genes encoding beta-galactosidase and alkaline phosphatase from Escherichia coli and bacterial luciferase from Vibrio harveyi supply the promoterless indicator genes. The constructs were tested in E. coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.