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Direct visualization of plasmid DNA in bacterial cells
Author(s) -
Eliasson Åsa,
Bernander Rolf,
Dasgupta Santanu,
Nordström Kurt
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.tb01997.x
Subject(s) - plasmid , biology , plasmid preparation , fluorescence microscope , escherichia coli , bacteria , dna , rolling circle replication , microbiology and biotechnology , dapi , fluorescence , dna replication , genetics , staining , gene , pbr322 , physics , quantum mechanics
Summary The direct visualization of plasmid DNA inside Escherichia coli cells is demonstrated using phase‐fluorescence microscopy of DAPI (4′,6‐diamidino‐2‐phenylindole)‐stained bacteria. Small as well as large plasmids could be detected, both in minicells and in cells of larger size. For large plasmids, even single molecules appeared to be within the detection limit. The fluorescence generated from monomers of small plasmids was probably below this limit, and for these plasmids the observed signals may represent aggregates. The distribution of the fluorescence foci might reflect specific plasmid positioning during partition and/or replication.