Transfer of transposon Tn916 from Bacillus subtilis to Thermus aquaticus

Broad host range conjugating transposon Tn916 has been introduced into the extreme thermophile Thermus by transposon transformation and transposition into the Bacillus subtilis chromosome followed by broth mating with Thermus aquaticus ATCC27634. Tetracycline resistant Thermus transconjugants were obtained at a frequency of 1.4 X 10(-7) per donor and 1.2 X 10(-7) per recipient. Transposon transfer from Thermus to Bacillus subtilis was also demonstrated in similar broth matings. Transfer characteristics were consistent with the conjugation mechanism described for Tn916 in mesophiles.