Transfer of kanamycin resistance mediated by plasmid R68.45 in Paracoccus denitrificans

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Genetics
• Bacterial Conjugation

Background:

• Plasmid R68.45 is known to mediate transfer of antibiotic resistance.
• Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a Gram-negative bacterium.
• Paracoccus denitrificans is a Gram-negative bacterium.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the ability of plasmid R68.45 to mediate kanamycin resistance transfer from Pseudomonas aeruginosa to Paracoccus denitrificans.
• To explore the potential of R68.45 as a conjugative plasmid in Paracoccus denitrificans.

Main Methods:

• Conjugation experiments were performed using strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Paracoccus denitrificans.
• Kanamycin resistance was used as a selectable marker to confirm successful transfer.

Main Results:

• Plasmid R68.45 successfully mediated the transfer of kanamycin resistance from Pseudomonas aeruginosa to Paracoccus denitrificans.
• Kanamycin resistance was subsequently transferable between strains of Paracoccus denitrificans, indicating plasmid establishment.

Conclusions:

• Plasmid R68.45 can function in interspecies gene transfer between Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Paracoccus denitrificans.
• The results support the potential use of R68.45 as a conjugative sex factor for genetic manipulation in Paracoccus denitrificans.