Characterization of a translocation unit encoding resistance to mercuric ions that occurs on a nonconjugative plasmid in Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Journal Article · Sat Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1977 · J. Bacteriol.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6267478

Stanisich, V A; Bennett, P M; Richmond, M H

The nonconjugative plasmid, pVS1, has a molecular weight of 18.5 x 10/sup 6/ and confers resistance to sulfonamides and to mercuric ions. In Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO, the transfer can be mobilized by a variety of conjugative plasmids, and the process does not require a functional recombination system in the donor. Hybrid plasmids that arise by the relocation of the mer gene onto the mobilizing plasmid can be isolated readily, and, as far as can be determined, these hybrids retain the genome of the conjugative plasmid in toto. The relocation of mer occurs by a Rec-independent process and leads to a constant increase (about 6 x 10/sup 6/ daltons) in the size of the recipient plasmid. This suggests that the mer gene in pVS1 is located on a translocation unit, designated Tn501, of a molecular weight of about 6 x 10/sup 6/. The translocation of Tn501 into RP1 is not usually associated with the loss of any known plasmid-mediated function, but transfer-defective or tetracycline-sensitive derivatives do occur at frequencies of about 4%, whereas carbenicillin-sensitive or kanamycin-sensitive variants arise with a frequency of about 0.2% each. It seems therefore that the integration of Tn501 can occur at any one of a minimum of five sites in RP1.

• Research Organization: Bristol Univ. Medical School, England
• OSTI ID: 6267478
• Journal Information: J. Bacteriol.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Bacteriol.; (United States) Vol. 129:3; ISSN JOBAA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560302* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology-- Microorganisms-- (-1987)
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
BACTERIA
BIOLOGY
CELL CONSTITUENTS
CONTROL
ELEMENTS
GENETIC CONTROL
GENETICS
MERCURY
METALS
MICROORGANISMS
PEST CONTROL
PLASMIDS
PSEUDOMONAS
SENSITIVITY
VARIATIONS