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Transfer and occurrence of large mercury resistance plasmids in river epilithon. [Pseudomonas fluorescens; Pseudomonas putida]

Journal Article · · Appl. Environ. Microbiol.; (United States)
OSTI ID:6998596
; ;

In situ mating experiments were done in the River Taff, South Wales, United Kingdom, by using a natural mercury resistance plasmid (pQM1) isolated from a mixture of epilithic bacteria in vitro. The river temperature from March to November was found to influence transfer frequencies strongly (6.8 x 10/sup -9/ to 1.5 x 10/sup -2/ per recipient). A linear relationship existed between log/sub 10/ transfer frequency and river temperature (6 to 21/sup 0/C), a 2.6/sup 0/C change in temperature giving a 10-fold change in transfer frequency. In vitro experiments showed that pQM1 transferred most efficiently between fluorescent pseudomonads and that one epilithic isolate (Pseudomonas fluorescens) was an efficient donor in situ. Experiments with a P. putida recipient showed that intact epilithic bacterial communities could transfer mercury resistance plasmids in situ at frequencies of up to 3.75 x 10/sup -6/ per recipient. Nineteen of the large (>250-kilobase) plasmids isolated by transfer into P. putida were studied in detail and grouped into seven types by restriction digests. Mercury resistance and UV resistance were found to be common linked phenotypes in 19 of the 23 plasmids tested.

Research Organization:
Univ. of Wales Institute of Science and Technology, Cardiff (England)
OSTI ID:
6998596
Journal Information:
Appl. Environ. Microbiol.; (United States), Journal Name: Appl. Environ. Microbiol.; (United States) Vol. 54:4; ISSN AEMID
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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Related Subjects

520100 -- Environment
Aquatic-- Basic Studies-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
550200* -- Biochemistry
560130 -- Radiation Effects on Microorganisms
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
BACTERIA
CELL CONSTITUENTS
DNA
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
ELEMENTS
HYBRIDIZATION
MERCURY
METALS
MICROORGANISMS
NUCLEIC ACIDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PHENOTYPE
PLASMIDS
PSEUDOMONAS
RADIATIONS
RADIOSENSITIVITY
RECOMBINANT DNA
SENSITIVITY
TOLERANCE
ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION