Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 2, 2026

Site-specific Bacterial Chromosome Engineering: ΦC31 Integrase Mediated Cassette Exchange (IMCE)
08:21

Site-specific Bacterial Chromosome Engineering: ΦC31 Integrase Mediated Cassette Exchange (IMCE)

Published on: March 16, 2012

Transfer of plasmid RP4 to Myxococcus xanthus and evidence for its integration into the chromosome

A M Breton, S Jaoua, J Guespin-Michel

    Journal of Bacteriology
    |February 1, 1985
    PubMed

    Insights

    Broad-host-range plasmids like RP4 can be integrated into the Myxococcus xanthus chromosome. These integrated plasmids facilitate genetic transfer between M. xanthus strains and can be mobilized back to E. coli.

    Area of Science:

    • Microbiology
    • Molecular Biology
    • Genetics

    Background:

    • Broad-host-range plasmids are essential tools for genetic manipulation in bacteria.
    • Myxococcus xanthus is a soil bacterium with complex developmental pathways.
    • Efficient methods for genetic exchange in M. xanthus are crucial for its study.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To investigate the stable integration and maintenance of the broad-host-range plasmid RP4 in Myxococcus xanthus.
    • To explore the utility of integrated RP4 for facilitating genetic transfer within M. xanthus and back to E. coli.

    Main Methods:

    • Conjugative transfer of plasmids RP4 and R68.45 into Myxococcus xanthus strains DK101 and DZ1.
    • Selection and maintenance of transconjugants using oxytetracycline.
    • Mobilization of integrated plasmids back to Escherichia coli.
    • Assessment of chromosomal DNA transfer mediated by integrated plasmids.

    Main Results:

    • RP4 was successfully integrated into the M. xanthus chromosome.
    • Plasmid marker loss was observed but prevented by selective pressure.
    • RP4-mediated transfer of M. xanthus chromosomal segments to E. coli (RP4-prime plasmids) was achieved.
    • Chromosomal gene transfer between M. xanthus strains was facilitated by the integrated plasmid.

    Conclusions:

    • Broad-host-range plasmid RP4 can be stably maintained as an integrated element in the M. xanthus chromosome.
    • Integrated RP4 serves as a versatile tool for both intra- and inter-species genetic exchange, enabling M. xanthus genome analysis.

    More Related Videos

    Conjugative Mating Assays for Sequence-specific Analysis of Transfer Proteins Involved in Bacterial Conjugation10:41

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

    Published on: January 4, 2017

    Fluorescence Live-cell Imaging of the Complete Vegetative Cell Cycle of the Slow-growing Social Bacterium Myxococcus xanthus11:45

    Fluorescence Live-cell Imaging of the Complete Vegetative Cell Cycle of the Slow-growing Social Bacterium Myxococcus xanthus

    Published on: June 20, 2018

    Related Concept Videos

    Plasmids01:28

    Plasmids

    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...
    Mechanism of Conjugation01:19

    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...