Open AccessParticipation of the recA determinant in the transposition of class II transposon mini‐Tn MERI1
Author(s) -
Matsui Kazuaki,
Narita Masaru,
Ishii Hidenori,
Endo Ginro
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
fems microbiology letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.899
H-Index - 151
eISSN - 1574-6968
pISSN - 0378-1097
DOI - 10.1016/j.femsle.2005.09.053
Subject(s) - transposable element , transposition (logic) , biology , genetics , gene , chromosomal translocation , strain (injury) , plasmid , microbiology and biotechnology , mutant , mathematics , geometry , anatomy
As an initial step to understand the mobile nature of class II mercury resistance transposon Tn MERI1 , the effect of the recA gene on translocation of mini‐Tn MERI1 was evaluated. A higher transposition frequency in the LE392 strain (2.4 ± 1.2 × 10 −5 ) than in the recA ‐deficient DH1 strain (1.2 ± 0.8 × 10 −6 ) indicated participation of the recA gene in mini‐Tn MERI1 transposition. Introduction of the recA gene into the DH1 strain complemented the transposition frequency at the same level as in LE392 and confirmed participation of the recA gene in transposition. However, treatment of cells by stress agents, including irradiation of up to 3000 J m −2 UV doses, did not alter the transposition frequency and suggested independence of RecA from the SOS stress response. Further analysis of transconjugants indicated participation of RecA in the resolution of the cointegrate structure of the transposon. These results suggested that RecA is a constitutive cellular factor that increases translocation of mini‐Tn MERI1 and may participate in dissemination of Tn MERI1 ‐like transposons.