Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 26, 2025
06:56
Detection of Horizontal Gene Transfer Mediated by Natural Conjugative Plasmids in E. coli
Published on: March 24, 2023
6.7K
Incompatibility and phylogenetic relationship of I-complex plasmids
Marta Rozwandowicz1, Joost Hordijk1, Alex Bossers2
1Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
Plasmid
|March 16, 2020
Summary
Plasmid incompatibility, specifically dislodgement, was studied between IncB/O and IncZ plasmid groups. Results show these plasmid groups are phenotypically incompatible, with IncB/O plasmids being lost from host cells.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Plasmid incompatibility prevents stable maintenance of multiple plasmids within a single cell.
- Dislodgement is a distinct form of incompatibility characterized by rapid plasmid exclusion post-superinfection.
- The relationship between IncB/O and IncZ plasmid groups has been previously debated, with conflicting conclusions regarding their compatibility.
Purpose of the Study:
- To re-evaluate the relationship between IncB/O and IncZ plasmids.
- To resolve conflicting conclusions on whether IncB/O and IncZ plasmids are incompatible or exhibit dislodgement.
Main Methods:
- Dislodgement testing was performed using R16Δ (IncB/O) and pSFE-059 (IncZ) plasmids.
- Electroporation was used to introduce plasmids into bacterial cells.
- Stability tests were conducted on resulting heteroplasmid populations in Escherichia coli.
Main Results:
- The IncB/O plasmid (R16Δ) was almost completely lost from the heteroplasmid Escherichia coli population.
- Attempts to form heteroplasmid populations with other IncB/O - IncZ pairs using conjugation or electroporation were unsuccessful.
- Data indicates a strong exclusion of IncB/O plasmids by IncZ plasmids.
Conclusions:
- The IncB/O and IncZ plasmid groups demonstrate phenotypic incompatibility.
- The observed phenomenon aligns with the definition of plasmid incompatibility rather than solely dislodgement.
- These findings clarify the relationship between IncB/O and IncZ plasmids, supporting their classification as incompatible.
Related Concept Videos
01:28Plasmids
909
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...
909
02:53Conservative Site-specific Recombination and Phase Variation
6.5K
Because the DNA segments are cut and reorganized in a direction-specific manner, site-specific recombination has emerged as an efficient genetic engineering technique. Flippase and Cyclization recombinases or Flp and Cre, respectively, are two members of the tyrosine recombinase family derived from bacteriophages, that are used to mediate site-specific DNA insertions, deletions, and targeted expression of proteins in mammalian cell lines.
The recognition sites for Cre recombinase called LoxP...
The recognition sites for Cre recombinase called LoxP...
6.5K
01:57Protein Complexes with Interchangeable Parts
2.8K
Groups of proteins may form a complex where each protein in this complex has a different role in the overall execution of the complex’s function. Often some of the proteins in the complex can be replaced by a closely related variant to give a complex that contains many of the same components yet is functionally distinct.
The SCF ubiquitin ligase is a protein complex of five individual proteins. This complex attaches ubiquitin to other target proteins to mark them for degradation. In order...
The SCF ubiquitin ligase is a protein complex of five individual proteins. This complex attaches ubiquitin to other target proteins to mark them for degradation. In order...
2.8K
01:19Conjugation
1.7K
Conjugation is a form of horizontal gene transfer that primarily occurs in bacteria and some archaea, promoting genetic diversity and adaptation. Bacteria can acquire resistance genes through conjugative plasmids, allowing them to survive antibiotic treatments that would otherwise be lethal. This process involves direct contact between cells through specialized structures such as the sex pilus and is mediated by conjugative plasmids, including the F (fertility) factor.Conjugation requires...
1.7K
00:57Viral Recombination
24.8K
Cells are sometimes infected by more than one virus at once. When two viruses disassemble to expose their genomes for replication in the same cell, similar regions of their genomes can pair together and exchange sequences in a process called recombination. Alternatively, viruses with segmented genomes can swap segments in a process called reassortment.
24.8K
01:27Diversity of Protists II
705
Alveolates are a group of organisms recognized by the presence of alveoli, which are cytoplasmic sacs located beneath the cell membrane. While their function remains uncertain, alveoli may help regulate water balance by controlling how much water enters and leaves the cell. In dinoflagellates, these structures may serve as armor plates. There are three major types of alveolates: ciliates, which move using cilia; dinoflagellates, which use flagella for movement; and apicomplexans, which are...
705