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pUB307 mobilizes resistance plasmids from Escherichia coli into Neisseria gonorrhoeae
J C Piffaretti1, A Arini, J Frey
1Istituto Cantonale Batteriologico, Lugano, Switzerland.
Abstract:
The plasmid pUB307, a derivative of RP1, is a conjugative, broad-host-range plasmid. We have shown that this element mobilizes gonococcal resistance plasmids from Escherichia coli to Neisseria gonorrhoeae, thus providing evidence that extrachromosomal elements can efficiently enter gonococci by conjugation. Furthermore, pUB307 can also be used as a helper element to mobilize the cloning vector pLES2 into N. gonorrhoeae. This finding significantly increases the usefulness of pLES2 as a shuttle vector between E. coli and gonococcus.
Insights
The plasmid pUB307 facilitates the transfer of resistance plasmids and cloning vectors between bacteria, enabling efficient genetic exchange in Neisseria gonorrhoeae. This broad-host-range plasmid enhances tools for bacterial genetics research.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Bacterial Genetics
- Plasmid Biology
Background:
- Conjugative plasmids facilitate horizontal gene transfer between bacteria.
- Broad-host-range plasmids can replicate in diverse bacterial species.
- Efficient genetic manipulation of Neisseria gonorrhoeae is crucial for understanding pathogenesis and antibiotic resistance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the utility of the conjugative plasmid pUB307 for genetic transfer into Neisseria gonorrhoeae.
- To demonstrate the ability of pUB307 to mobilize other plasmids, including resistance plasmids and cloning vectors, into gonococci.
- To establish pUB307 as a valuable tool for genetic manipulation of Neisseria gonorrhoeae.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing the conjugative plasmid pUB307, a derivative of RP1.
- Performing bacterial conjugation experiments to transfer plasmids from Escherichia coli to Neisseria gonorrhoeae.
- Mobilizing gonococcal resistance plasmids and the cloning vector pLES2 using pUB307 as a helper element.
Main Results:
- The plasmid pUB307 efficiently mobilized gonococcal resistance plasmids from Escherichia coli to Neisseria gonorrhoeae.
- pUB307 was demonstrated to be effective in mobilizing the cloning vector pLES2 into N. gonorrhoeae.
- Evidence was provided that extrachromosomal elements can efficiently enter gonococci via conjugation mediated by pUB307.
Conclusions:
- The conjugative plasmid pUB307 is a highly effective tool for introducing genetic material into Neisseria gonorrhoeae.
- pUB307 enhances the utility of shuttle vectors like pLES2 for genetic studies in both Escherichia coli and N. gonorrhoeae.
- This study establishes pUB307 as a key element for advancing genetic research in gonococcal biology.