Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 29, 2026
11:04
Author Spotlight: Methods for Electroporation and Transformation Confirmation in Limosilactobacillus reuteri DSM20016
Published on: June 23, 2023
4.6K
The Lactococcus lactis plasmidome: much learnt, yet still lots to discover
Stuart Ainsworth1, Stephen Stockdale, Francesca Bottacini
1Department of Microbiology, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.
FEMS Microbiology Reviews
|May 28, 2014
Summary
Lactococcus lactis plasmids carry essential traits for dairy fermentation. This review covers known and novel plasmid-encoded functions, enhancing our understanding of these vital dairy starter cultures.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Genetics
- Food Science
Background:
- Lactococcus lactis is crucial for fermented dairy production worldwide.
- Plasmid-encoded traits are essential for Lactococcus lactis growth and milk acidification.
- Increasing availability of sequencing data drives discovery of new plasmid-encoded characteristics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review known and recent discoveries of plasmid-encoded traits in Lactococcus lactis.
- To discuss the biotechnological significance of these traits.
- To explore the evolution and acquisition of lactococcal plasmids.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on Lactococcus lactis plasmids.
- Analysis of recently sequenced lactococcal plasmid data.
- Synthesis of information on plasmid-encoded traits and their functions.
Main Results:
- Plasmid-encoded traits significantly influence Lactococcus lactis performance in dairy fermentations.
- Novel characteristics like enhanced flavor and stress tolerance are linked to specific plasmids.
- Plasmid sequence data has advanced understanding of dairy starter culture origins and evolution.
Conclusions:
- Lactococcal plasmids are key to biotechnological applications in the dairy industry.
- Continued investigation of plasmid sequences promises discovery of new functional traits.
- Understanding plasmid acquisition and evolution is vital for optimizing Lactococcus lactis strains.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:28Plasmids
4.2K
Plasmids are extrachromosomal DNA molecules found in bacteria, archaea, and some eukaryotic microbes like yeast. These small, circular DNA structures typically contain fewer than 30 genes, although some may exist linearly. Plasmids vary in their number within a cell, known as copy number. Single-copy plasmids are present in one copy per cell and multi-copy plasmids are present in multiple copies, reaching over 100 copies per cell.Plasmids usually replicate independently of the chromosomal DNA...
4.2K
02:09Operons
43.9K
Prokaryotes can control gene expression through operons—DNA sequences consisting of regulatory elements and clustered, functionally related protein-coding genes. Operons use a single promoter sequence to initiate transcription of a gene cluster (i.e., a group of structural genes) into a single mRNA molecule. The terminator sequence ends transcription. An operator sequence, located between the promoter and structural genes, prohibits the operon’s transcriptional activity if bound by...
43.9K
01:25Inducible Operons: lac Operon
3.1K
The lac operon in Escherichia coli is a model for understanding inducible gene regulation and metabolic flexibility. It integrates local control by lactose and global regulation through catabolite repression, enabling E. coli to preferentially metabolize glucose when available and switch to lactose utilization when glucose is scarce.Structure and Function of the lac OperonThe lac operon contains three structural genes: lacZ (β-galactosidase), lacY (lactose permease), and lacA...
3.1K
00:46Genomic DNA in Prokaryotes
42.4K
The genome of most prokaryotic organisms consists of double-stranded DNA organized into one circular chromosome in a region of cytoplasm called the nucleoid. The chromosome is tightly wound, or supercoiled, for efficient storage. Prokaryotes also contain other circular pieces of DNA called plasmids. These plasmids are smaller than the chromosome and often carry genes that confer adaptive functions, such as antibiotic resistance.
Genomic Diversity in Bacteria
Although bacterial genomes are much...
Genomic Diversity in Bacteria
Although bacterial genomes are much...
42.4K
01:58Prokaryotic Transcriptional Activators and Repressors
20.0K
The organization of prokaryotic genes in their genome is notably different from that of eukaryotes. Prokaryotic genes are organized, such that the genes for proteins involved in the same biochemical process or function are located together in groups. This group of genes, along with their regulatory elements, are collectively known as an operon. The functional genes in an operon are transcribed together to give a single strand of mRNA known as polycistronic mRNA.
Transcription of prokaryotic...
Transcription of prokaryotic...
20.0K
01:24Bacterial Phylum Tenericutes
673
The phylum Tenericutes, which includes the single class Mollicutes, comprises bacteria that lack cell walls. The term "Mollicutes" derives from the Latin word mollis, meaning "soft." These organisms are among the smallest known and are commonly referred to as mycoplasmas due to the prominence of the genus Mycoplasma, which includes well-known human pathogens. Despite their inability to stain gram-positively (a result of their lack of cell walls), mycoplasmas are phylogenetically related to the...
673