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Selection of plasmid molecules for conjugative transfer and replacement strand synthesis in the donor
Author(s) -
Parker Christopher,
Meyer Richard J.
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
molecular microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.857
H-Index - 247
eISSN - 1365-2958
pISSN - 0950-382X
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-2958.2002.03195.x
Subject(s) - biology , plasmid , selection (genetic algorithm) , genetics , computational biology , evolutionary biology , dna , artificial intelligence , computer science
Summary Plasmid selection and strand replacement synthesis in donor cells during conjugative transfer was examined by a procedure involving electroporation of test plasmid DNA, containing a base pair mismatch, into donor cells prior to mating. Multiple copies of the plasmid were transferred from a donor cell that allowed vegetative replication of the plasmid. Under conditions non‐permissive for vegetative replication, there were further rounds of transfer after a lag period. Strand replacement in the donor did not depend solely on the initiation mechanism for vegetative replication, indicating a conjugation‐specific mechanism was also available. The lag period between first and second rounds of transfer argues against the transfer of multiple copies into recipients by the spooling of copies generated on a master molecule by rolling‐circle replication.