Open AccessrptA , a novel gene from Ensifer ( Sinorhizobium ) meliloti involved in conjugal transfer
Author(s) -
Pistorio Mariano,
Torres Tejerizo Gonzalo A.,
Del Papa María Florencia,
Giusti María,
Lozano Mauricio,
Lagares Antonio
Publication year - 2013
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 - 10.1111/1574-6968.12177
Subject(s) - plasmid , biology , sinorhizobium meliloti , genetics , rhizobia , sinorhizobium , gene , mutant , rhizobium , open reading frame , mutagenesis , peptide sequence , bacteria , symbiosis
We approached the identification of E nsifer ( S inorhizobium) meliloti conjugal functions by random Tn 5 ‐B13 mutagenesis of the pS meLPU88a plasmid of E . meliloti strain LPU88 and the subsequent selection of those mutants that had lost the ability to mobilize the small plasmid pS meLPU88b. The Tn 5 ‐B13‐insertion site of one of the mutants was cloned as an EcoRI‐restricted DNA fragment that after subsequent isolation and sequencing demonstrated that a small open reading frame of 522 bp (designated rptA, for rhizobium plasmid transfer A) had been disrupted. The predicted gene product encoded by the rptA sequence shows a significant similarity to two hypothetical proteins of the plasmid pS med03 of E nsifer medicae WSM419 and other rhizobia plasmids. No significant similarity was found to any protein sequence of known function registered in the databases. Although the rptA gene was required for pS meLPU88b‐plasmid mobilization in the strain 2011 background, it was not required in the original strain LPU88 background.