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Self-transmissible plasmid in Zymomonas mobilis carrying antibiotic resistance

S K Walia, V C Carey, B P All

    Applied and Environmental Microbiology
    |January 1, 1984
    PubMed

    Insights

    The Zymomonas mobilis cryptic plasmid pRUT41 was successfully transferred to Escherichia coli, demonstrating its ability to confer antibiotic resistance genes for gentamicin, kanamycin, and streptomycin.

    Area of Science:

    • Microbiology
    • Molecular Biology
    • Genetics

    Background:

    • Cryptic plasmids are extrachromosomal DNA elements whose functions are not immediately apparent.
    • Zymomonas mobilis is a bacterium known for its role in industrial fermentations.
    • Understanding plasmid biology is crucial for genetic engineering and microbial biotechnology.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To investigate the biological properties of the cryptic plasmid pRUT41 from Zymomonas mobilis.
    • To determine the genetic elements carried by pRUT41, particularly those related to antibiotic resistance.
    • To assess the conjugative transfer capabilities of pRUT41 between bacterial species.

    Main Methods:

    • Conjugative transfer experiments were performed to move the plasmid from Zymomonas mobilis to Escherichia coli.
    • Plasmid DNA was isolated from transconjugant strains of E. coli.
    • Agarose gel electrophoresis and restriction enzyme digestion were used to analyze plasmid DNA.
    • Transformation experiments were conducted to confirm the plasmid location of antibiotic resistance genes.

    Main Results:

    • The cryptic plasmid pRUT41 was successfully conjugally transferred from Z. mobilis to E. coli.
    • Transconjugant E. coli strains acquired resistance to gentamicin, kanamycin, and streptomycin.
    • Isolated plasmids from transconjugants were identical to the native pRUT41 in mobility and restriction patterns.
    • Antibiotic resistance genes were confirmed to be located on the plasmid and transferred together.

    Conclusions:

    • The cryptic plasmid pRUT41 harbors antibiotic resistance genes for gentamicin, kanamycin, and streptomycin.
    • pRUT41 is capable of conjugative transfer into a different bacterial species, E. coli.
    • This plasmid can serve as a vehicle for transferring antibiotic resistance traits.

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