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Characterization of two cryptic plasmids from Spiroplasma citri and occurrence of their DNA sequences among various

C Mouches, G Barroso, A Gadeau

    Annales De Microbiologie
    |January 1, 1984
    PubMed

    Insights

    Researchers studied Spiroplasma citri plasmids, finding that pMH1 DNA sequences can integrate into host DNA, not just exist as free plasmids. This integration was observed in Spiroplasma citri and other spiroplasma species.

    Area of Science:

    • Microbiology
    • Molecular Biology
    • Genetics

    Background:

    • Plasmids are extrachromosomal DNA elements crucial for bacterial adaptation.
    • Spiroplasma citri harbors plasmids, but their distribution and integration patterns are not fully understood.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To characterize Spiroplasma citri plasmids pMH1 and pM41.
    • To investigate the presence and integration of these plasmid sequences in various spiroplasma strains.

    Main Methods:

    • Plasmid purification and restriction mapping.
    • In vitro DNA recombination and cloning in Escherichia coli.
    • Southern blot hybridization using radioactive probes.

    Main Results:

    • Plasmid pM41 was detected in other Spiroplasma citri strains and related plasmids in non-S. citri species.
    • Plasmid pMH1, previously only found free in S. citri strain MH, was also found integrated into high-molecular-weight DNA in other S. citri strains.
    • pMH1 DNA sequences were integrated into high-molecular-weight DNA of several non-S. citri spiroplasma strains.

    Conclusions:

    • Spiroplasma plasmids exhibit diverse distribution patterns, including both free and integrated forms.
    • Plasmid DNA sequences can integrate into the host genome of Spiroplasma species.
    • This suggests horizontal gene transfer or integration mechanisms within spiroplasma populations.

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