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Updated: Aug 11, 2026
06:10
Following Cell-fate in E. coli After Infection by Phage Lambda
Published on: October 14, 2011
[The infection of bacilli by Mu cts phage integrated into the plasmid]
Mikrobiologicheskii Zhurnal
|May 1, 1990
Abstract:
The infection of Bacillus thuringiensis, B. cereus, B. mesentericus and B. polymyxa strains with temperate E. coli bacteriophage Mu cts62 integrated into plasmid RP4 under conditions of conjugative transfer is shown possible. The investigated strains of bacilli are not able to produce intact phage particles but they acquire the thermosensitive property determined by the phage genome. Gel electrophoresis and blot hybridization of DNA have confirmed the transfer of Mu cts62 genome or a part of it in the investigated strains of bacilli.
Insights
Bacterial conjugation successfully transferred the Escherichia coli bacteriophage Mu cts62 genome into Bacillus strains. These bacilli acquired thermosensitivity but could not produce intact phage particles, confirming genome integration.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Molecular Biology
- Bacteriophage Research
Background:
- Temperate bacteriophages are crucial tools for genetic manipulation in bacteria.
- Conjugative transfer offers a method for horizontal gene transfer between bacterial species.
- Understanding phage-plasmid interactions is key to developing novel genetic tools.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the conjugative transfer of Escherichia coli bacteriophage Mu cts62 into various Bacillus species.
- To determine if Bacillus strains can acquire phage-encoded properties following successful DNA transfer.
- To confirm the integration and presence of the Mu cts62 genome within the recipient Bacillus DNA.
Main Methods:
- Conjugative transfer of plasmid RP4 carrying bacteriophage Mu cts62.
- Phenotypic analysis for thermosensitivity in recipient Bacillus strains.
- Molecular confirmation using gel electrophoresis and blot hybridization of DNA.
Main Results:
- Successful conjugative transfer of bacteriophage Mu cts62 into Bacillus thuringiensis, B. cereus, B. mesentericus, and B. polymyxa.
- Acquisition of thermosensitivity by the recipient Bacillus strains, indicating functional phage genome presence.
- Absence of intact phage particle production in the transformed Bacillus strains.
- DNA analysis confirmed the transfer of the Mu cts62 genome or fragments thereof.
Conclusions:
- Conjugative transfer is a viable method for introducing bacteriophage Mu cts62 into Bacillus species.
- Bacillus strains can harbor and express thermosensitivity from the transferred phage genome.
- This study demonstrates the potential for inter-generic gene transfer of bacteriophage elements.
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