Related Experiment Videos
Autotransmissible resident plasmid of Rhizobium meliloti
Molecular & General Genetics : MGG
|January 1, 1980
Abstract:
A resident plasmid of wild-type strains of Rhizobium meliloti of 59.6 megadaltons has been shown to be transferred at a high frequency to "cured" strains of this bacterial species. This plasmid, named pEZ1, that confers phage-sensitivity to cells carrying it is also transmissible to Escherichia coli and from it to "cured" R. meliloti strains.
Insights
A resident plasmid, pEZ1, from Rhizobium meliloti is highly transferable to cured strains and even to Escherichia coli. This plasmid confers phage-sensitivity, enabling further transfer back to R. meliloti.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Bacteriology
- Genetics
Background:
- Wild-type Rhizobium meliloti strains harbor a resident plasmid of 59.6 megadaltons.
- This plasmid is crucial for understanding bacterial genetics and inter-species gene transfer.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the transferability of a specific resident plasmid (pEZ1) in Rhizobium meliloti.
- To determine if pEZ1 can be transferred to cured strains and other bacterial species like Escherichia coli.
Main Methods:
- High-frequency plasmid transfer experiments were conducted.
- Transconjugation assays were performed between Rhizobium meliloti and Escherichia coli strains.
Main Results:
- The resident plasmid pEZ1 was successfully transferred at a high frequency to cured R. meliloti strains.
- pEZ1 demonstrated transmissibility to Escherichia coli.
- The plasmid could be transferred from E. coli back to cured R. meliloti strains.
Conclusions:
- The pEZ1 plasmid is highly mobile within and between Rhizobium meliloti strains.
- pEZ1 exhibits inter-generic transfer capabilities, moving to Escherichia coli.
- The plasmid confers phage-sensitivity to recipient cells, a trait that can be maintained through transfer.