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Mechanism of Conjugation

Mechanism of Conjugation

Bacterial conjugation is a mechanism of horizontal gene transfer that enables the exchange of genetic material between bacterial cells through direct contact. This process is facilitated by a donor cell carrying a conjugative plasmid, which encodes genes necessary for pilus formation, DNA replication, and transfer. The conjugative plasmid plays a central role in initiating and executing the transfer of genetic material.The tra region of the conjugative plasmid encodes proteins responsible for...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Nov 12, 2025

Conjugative Mating Assays for Sequence-specific Analysis of Transfer Proteins Involved in Bacterial Conjugation

Conjugative Mating Assays for Sequence-specific Analysis of Transfer Proteins Involved in Bacterial Conjugation

Published on: January 4, 2017

Bacterial Conjugation Protocol for Ruminant Mycoplasmas.

Eveline Sagné¹, Christine Citti¹, Emilie Dordet-Frisoni¹

¹IHAP, Université de Toulouse, INRAE, ENVT, Toulouse, France.

|March 18, 2021

Summary

This study details an optimized conjugation protocol for transferring DNA, including antibiotic resistance markers, between Mycoplasma cells. The method facilitates horizontal gene transfer and is adaptable for related species.

Keywords:

Conjugation Horizontal gene transfer Integrative and conjugative element Mating Mycoplasma

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Last Updated: Nov 12, 2025

Conjugative Mating Assays for Sequence-specific Analysis of Transfer Proteins Involved in Bacterial Conjugation

Conjugative Mating Assays for Sequence-specific Analysis of Transfer Proteins Involved in Bacterial Conjugation

Published on: January 4, 2017

High-Resolution Comparison of Bacterial Conjugation Frequencies

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Published on: June 11, 2009

Area of Science:

Microbiology
Molecular Biology
Genetics

Background:

Mycoplasma agalactiae exhibits two DNA transfer processes resembling conjugation: integrative conjugative element (ICE) self-transmission and chromosomal DNA horizontal transfer.
These DNA transfer mechanisms require direct cell-to-cell contact.

Purpose of the Study:

To describe an optimized conjugation protocol for efficient horizontal DNA transfer in Mycoplasma.
To enable the transfer of integrative conjugative elements (ICEs) and chromosomal DNA fragments carrying antibiotic resistance markers.

Main Methods:

Development of an optimized conjugation protocol for Mycoplasma species.
Utilizing antibiotic resistance markers (tetracycline, gentamicin, puromycin) for selection of transconjugants.
Detailed procedures for calculating conjugation frequencies, selecting, and characterizing transconjugants.

Main Results:

Successful horizontal transfer of ICE and chromosomal DNA with antibiotic resistance markers between donor and recipient Mycoplasma cells.
The protocol was optimized for Mycoplasma agalactiae and successfully applied to Mycoplasma bovis.
Demonstrated feasibility of adapting the protocol for other related mycoplasma species.

Conclusions:

The described conjugation protocol provides an efficient method for genetic manipulation in Mycoplasma.
This protocol facilitates the study of horizontal gene transfer and the development of novel genetic tools for Mycoplasma research.
The adaptability of the protocol across different Mycoplasma species broadens its potential applications in veterinary and microbial research.