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Zygotic induction of plasmid ssb and psiB genes following conjugative transfer of Incl1 plasmid Collb‐P9
Author(s) -
Jones A. Louise,
Barth Peter T.,
Wilkins Brian M.
Publication year - 1992
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 - 10.1111/j.1365-2958.1992.tb01507.x
Subject(s) - plasmid , biology , replicon , gene , genetics , bacterial conjugation , microbiology and biotechnology
Summary The Incl1 conjugative plasmid Collb‐P9 carries a psiB gene that prevents induction of the SOS response in host bacteria. This locus is located 2.5 kb downstream of the ssb (single‐stranded DNA‐binding protein) gene in the leading region. This portion of Collb is strikingly similar to part of the leading region of the otherwise distinct F plasmid. Expression of psiB and ssb is increased when the host cell is exposed to an SOS‐inducing treatment or the Collb transfer system is derepressed. Moreover, expression of both genes on a derepressed plasmid is strongly enhanced in conjugatively infected recipient cells. Carriage of the psiB gene by Collb is shown to prevent a low level of SOS induction following conjugation. Plasmid ssb and psiB genes may function to promote installation of the replicon in the new cell.