[Transduction and conjugation transfer of the pXO2 plasmid in Bacillus anthracis]

The plasmid pXO2 determining the capsule synthesis has been shown to be transfered into the cells of different strains of Bacillus anthracis (STI-1, Sterne, KM33, KM35) by the transducing bacteriophage CP54ant and by mobilization by pAM beta 1 replicon with the frequencies, consequently, n.10(-8) and n.10(-7). The optimal parameters for the selection of clones having acquired the pXO2 plasmid have been defined. Mobilization for conjugational transfer has been demonstrated for the plasmid pXO1 coding for the production of Bacillus anthracis toxin. The dramatic increase of virulence for white mice has been registered for Bacillus anthracis strains having acquired the pXO2 plasmid replicon.