Open AccessCloning and characterization of a replicon region of the IncHII plasmid pHH1457
Author(s) -
Alonso Guillermina,
Bruzual Igor,
Campos Jenny,
RodríguezLemoine Vidal
Publication year - 1999
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/j.1574-6968.1999.tb08750.x
Subject(s) - replicon , plasmid , biology , homology (biology) , genetics , t dna binary system , microbiology and biotechnology , origin of replication , gene , recombinant dna , vector (molecular biology)
A replicative region of the large conjugative plasmid pHH1457 (incompatibility group HII (IncHII)) was cloned. A 1.4‐kbp region, in a stable pSBII14 clone, containing a PolI‐independent replicon and determinants for the HII incompatibility phenotype, was selected and characterized. High incompatibility with IncHII plasmids was corroborated. Independent replication of the insert was demonstrated by ligation to an antibiotic resistance cassette. pSBII14 was used as a probe to identify IncHII plasmids from other members of the H complex: IncHI (IncHI1, IncHI2 and IncHI3 subgroups). Hybridization experiments revealed a high homology with the replication region of IncHII plasmids, but not with IncHI1 or IncHI3 plasmid prototypes. Homology with IncHI2 plasmids was observed, suggesting the presence of IncHII‐like replicons among this subgroup of plasmids. This is the first report of the characterization of an IncHII plasmid maintenance region.