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Conditional lethal mutants of the kilB determinant of broad host range plasmid RK2.

We have examined the relationship of kilB to the other known determinants which map in the 14'-22' region of RK2. These are trfA, which encodes a diffusible replication function, and tra3, which specifies a function required for plasmid transmissibility. We found that, in addition to kilB, both tra3 and trfA functions are expressed by the cloned 14'-22' region of RK2. Four temperature-sensitive mutants of kilB were isolated by in vitro mutagenesis of the cloned segment. At 42 degrees C these mutant plasmids can be maintained in Escherichia coli cells which lack a korB+ helper plasmid. At 30 degrees C the helper plasmid is required. Our analysis of these mutants revealed that kilB function is distinct from those of trfA and tra3. One mutant plasmid was temperature-sensitive for maintenance of an RK2 ori plasmid, but this phenotype was shown to be independent of the KilB(ts) phenotype. Thus, kilB appears to be a separate new locus in this portion of the RK2 genome. In addition, these mutants allowed us to test for the existence of an essential replication determinant (trfB) in the 50.4'-56.4' region of RK2. Our results demonstrate that this region is non-essential for replication from the RK2 ori in E. coli. We propose an alternative hypothesis to explain the role of the RK2 trfB region for plasmid maintenance in E. coli.

Chromosome Mapping↗

Instability of a high-copy-number mutant of a miniplasmid derived from broad host range IncP plasmid RK2.

Mini-RK2 plasmids pCT460 and pCT461 which contain the oriVRK2, trfA and trfB regions of RK2 in addition to tetracycline and kanamycin resistance determinants, have copy numbers of 17 and 35 copies per chromosome equivalent, respectively. The difference in copy number is due to a 56-bp deletion in oriVRK2 in pCT461. In Escherichia coli only pCT461 is markedly unstable in batch culture while both are unstable (although pCT461 is more so) in bacteria on stock plates. The instability of pCT461 in bacteria on stock plates is recA+ dependent and appears to involve loss of plasmid DNA from bacteria rather than selective cell death. After storage of recA+ bacteria carrying pCT461 for a few weeks the remaining antibiotic-resistant bacteria carry a mixture of plasmid DNA species including parental pCT461, transposable element insertion derivatives, and, by far the majority, deletion derivatives. It appears that one particular plasmid region, which includes the kilD gene (which inhibits plasmid maintenance in the absence of korD which, however, is present on pCT460 and pCT461), is responsible for this instability in a gene dosage-dependent way. Most of these deletion derivatives are dependent on pCT461-specified trfA gene (essential for replication) so that they do not displace pCT461 entirely. Their presence reduces the copy number of pCT461, thus reducing the instability, and is probably ultimately responsible for pCT461 survival on stock plates. In many bacteria the same process which gives rise to deletion derivatives may result in degradation of plasmid DNA extensive enough to cause loss of pCT461.

Chromosome Deletion↗

Copy number mutants of the broad-host-range Streptomyces plasmid pMG200.

pMG200, isolated from the bacteriocin-releasing strain Streptomyces chrysomallus, was further physically mapped. Variants of S. chrysomallus were isolated which inhibited the parental strain. Two types of plasmids, pMG210 and pMG220, were isolated from these variants, with copy numbers of 10-30 and 300, respectively, compared with 1-3 for pMG200. pMG210 is apparently physically identical to pMG200 but presumably differs at a level not detected by simple restriction mapping; pMG220 is deleted for 1.6 kb. Genes for thiostrepton and viomycin resistance were subcloned from pIJ364 on to pMG200 and a fragment containing the gene for nourseothricin resistance was subcloned on to pMG220. In this way nonessential sites were identified.

Cloning, Molecular↗

Broad host range vectors derived from an RSF1010::Tn1 plasmid.

Plasmid vector derivatives of the IncQ/P4 plasmid RSF1010 available for cloning DNA into a broad range of bacterial species were constructed. The plasmid pAYC31 constructed for the positive selection of inserted fragments contains part of transposon Tn1 inserted into the sequence of the gene sul. Gene aph transcription in pAYC31 can be initiated from the promoter for the transposase gene tnpA which is under the negative control of the gene tnpR product (Heffron, 1983). The insertion of a BamHI fragment, or of fragments generated by Sau3A, BclI, BglII, or XhoII digestion into the unique BamHI site within the gene tnpR sequence, leads to initiation of transcription from the promoter of the tnpA gene toward the aph gene. Expression of the aph gene upon insertion of a BamHI restriction fragment provides a positive selection for hybrid plasmids by plating the transformed bacteria on media with streptomycin. Versatile cloning vectors pAYC32 of 9.7 kb in length and pAYC39 of 11.3 kb in length were also constructed. Insertion into the BamHI site of vector pAYC32 of a 1.6-kb BglII fragment that contains the lambda cos site produced cosmid vectors pAYC51 and pAYC52. The two 11.3-kb cosmids differ only by the orientation of the 1.6-kb BglII fragment. By insertion into the BamHI site of pAYC32 of a BglII-BamHI fragment of plasmid pHC79 that contains the gene tet and lambda cos site cosmid vector pAYC53 was constructed. Vector pAYC31 was used to construct a gene bank from the chromosomal DNA of an obligate methylotrophic strain Methylomicrobium flagellatum KT.

Chromosome Mapping↗

Characterization of a gram-positive broad-host-range plasmid isolated from Lactobacillus hilgardii.

Two plasmids, pLAB1000 and pLAB2000 (3.3 and 9.1 kb, respectively), have been isolated from a grass silage strain of Lactobacillus hilgardii. Both plasmids were cloned in Escherichia coli and characterized through restriction mapping. A 1.6-kb XbaI-SacI fragment of pLAB1000 appeared to be sufficient for autonomous replication in Lactobacillus plantarum and in Bacillus subtilis. Different shuttle vectors for E. coli and gram-positive bacteria were developed using the pLAB1000 plasmid. These could stably be maintained in Lactobacillus, Enterococcus, and Bacillus under selective conditions. Plasmids sharing DNA homologies with pLAB1000 have been observed in different strains of the related species L. plantarum.

DNA, Bacterial↗

Mechanism of integration of the broad-host-range plasmid RP4 into the chromosome of Myxococcus xanthus.

The site-specific recombination mechanism through which the plasmid RP4 has been previously shown to integrate into the chromosome of Myxococcus xanthus has been investigated further. Once integrated in one of the numerous chromosomal sites from two different strains, through a precise site on the plasmid, the latter can be excised either precisely or after a definite 14.5-kb deletion. In some cases, the integration is followed by different DNA rearrangements that yield a higher rate of excision and integration. A model for the site-specific integration and excision of the plasmid is proposed.

Blotting, Southern↗

Isolation and properties of temperature-sensitive mutants of the trfA gene of the broad host range plasmid RK2.

Two small plasmid RK2 derivatives, pSV6 and pSV16, were constructed and used for the isolation and characterization of trfA mutants temperature-sensitive (ts) for replication in Escherichia coli. Four of the mutants were examined for their ability to initiate replication from the RK2 replication origin in E. coli when present in cis with respect to the origin and in trans when present on a multicopy pBR322 replicon. Each of the mutant trfA genes exhibited temperature-sensitivity in supporting replication from the RK2 origin when present in cis, and the lowest nonpermissive temperature varied depending on the mutant. When the mutant trfA genes were present on the multicopy replicon (in trans), three of the four mutant genes could support replication of the RK2-oriV plasmid pSV16 at all temperatures tested. However, with the exception of one of the mutants, the activity was reduced when compared to wild-type. The increased activity in trans possibly is the result of the increased cellular level of the TrfA protein when compared with the in cis situation where the mutant trfA gene is at a much lower copy-number. Two of the mutants also were tested in cis for temperature sensitivity in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. One of the mutants did not exhibit temperature sensitivity under the conditions employed. The second mutant showed some temperature sensitivity but the nonpermissive temperature pattern was different than that found in E. coli.

DNA Replication↗

Characterization of the M protein and nucleoprotein genes of an avian influenza A virus which are involved in host range restriction in monkeys.

A reassortant virus possessing RNA segment 7, which codes for the M1 and M2 proteins, of the avian influenza A/Mallard/New York/6750/78 (H2N2) virus and the other seven RNA segments of the human influenza A/Udorn/307/72 (H3N2) virus had been shown previously to be markedly restricted in replication in the respiratory tract of squirrel monkeys. In contrast, a reassortant possessing segment 7 of another avian influenza virus, A/Pintail/Alberta/119/79 (H4N6), and the seven other RNA segments from the A/Udorn/72 virus was not restricted. The nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequence of the RNA segment 7 of each virus was determined to identify the structural basis for the attenuation phenotype specified by RNA segment 7 of the A/Mallard/78 virus. Analysis of the deduced amino acid sequences revealed only two amino acid differences in the M1 protein and one difference in the M2 protein, suggesting that the attenuation phenotype of a reassortant virus possessing segment 7 of the A/Mallard/78 virus may be specified by one to three amino acids. Reassortant viruses possessing RNA segment 6, which codes for the nucleoprotein, of either avian influenza virus and the other seven RNA segments of a human influenza virus were also restricted in replication in squirrel monkeys. A comparison of the deduced amino acid sequences of the two avian nucleopeoteins demonstrated only three amino acid differences indicating that these two avian viruses possess NP genes that are highly related. The high degree of relatedness of both the NP and M proteins of these two avian viruses contrasts with their divergent surface antigens.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Amino Acid Sequence↗

A portable DNA sequence carrying the cohesive site (cos) of bacteriophage lambda and the mob (mobilization) region of the broad-host-range plasmid RK2: a module for the construction of new cosmids.

A polylinker DNA sequence carrying the cos site of bacteriophage lambda and the mob (oriT) region of the IncP group plasmid RK2 was constructed. This composite polylinker has EcoRI sites at both termini and also unique sites for ClaI, HindIII, PstI and XbaI. The cos-mob region is portable with the use of EcoRI or a combination of EcoRI with ClaI, HindIII or XbaI. Another cos-mob cassette was also constructed from which the cos-mob region can be lifted with HindIII, ClaI or either of these enzymes in combination with others. These cos-mob cassettes can be used in constructing new cosmids that can be mobilized into a variety of Gram-negative bacteria. Using one of these cassettes we have constructed a small IncW group cosmid (11.1 kb) that was mobilizable into Escherichia coli, Rhizobium spp. and Alcaligenes eutrophus at high frequency.

Alcaligenes↗

Mini-Mulac transposons with broad-host-range origins of conjugal transfer and replication designed for gene regulation studies in Rhizobiaceae.

Novel mini-Mu derivatives were constructed, carrying a truncated lacZYA operon fused to the terminal 117 bp of the Mu S-end, for the isolation of translational lac fusions by mini-Mu-mediated insertion mutagenesis. Different selectable markers (chloramphenicol resistance; gentamycin resistance) were introduced to allow selection for mini-Mu insertions in different replicons and bacterial strains. A mini-Mulac derivative carrying the site for conjugal transfer of plasmid RP4 (oriT) and the origin of replication of the Agrobacterium rhizogenes Ri plasmid (oriRiHRI) was constructed to enable one-step lac-fusion mutagenesis of cloned (plasmid-borne) regions in Escherichia coli and efficient conjugal transfer of gene fusions to to a variety of Gram-negative bacteria. The conjugation frequency, stability and copy number of replicons carrying mini-Mulac derivatives with oriT and oriRiHRI in members of the Rhizobiaceae such as Rhizobium meliloti, Azorhizobium caulinodans ORS571 and Agrobacterium tumefaciens C58 was examined.

Bacteriophage mu↗

Construction of broad-host-range vectors for the selection of divergent promoters.

A series of promoter-probe plasmid vectors has been constructed which allows for the selection of DNA sequences containing divergent control elements. Each vector contains a pair of promoterless genes [encoding beta-galactosidase (lacZ), alkaline phosphatase (phoA), and bacterial luciferase (luxAB)] arranged in an antiparallel fashion and separated by a large intervening multiple cloning site. The vectors permit direct detection of promoter activity on indicator plates after transformation. Cloned promoters are selected based on production of coloured products in the case of lacZ and phoA, and by the emission of light in the case of luxAB. These vectors have been tested using known divergent promoter elements from pBR322 and Pseudomonas phage D3.

Cloning, Molecular↗

A wide-host-range suicide vector for improving reverse genetics in gram-negative bacteria: inactivation of the blaA gene of Yersinia enterocolitica.

A new suicide vector (pKNG101) that facilitates the positive selection of double recombination events in Gram-bacteria has been developed. It contains a conditional origin of replication (oriR6K), the strAB genes encoding the streptomycin phosphotransferase (SmR), an origin of transfer (mobRK2), the sacB gene mediating sucrose sensitivity, and multiple cloning sites. It was used to mutate the blaA gene of Yersinia enterocolitica, by marker-exchange mutagenesis. To do this, we have first cloned into the suicide vector pKNG101, a 2.5-kb fragment of Y. enterocolitica chromosomal DNA encoding the 20-kDa beta-lactamase A. Gene blaA was then mutated in vitro by insertion of luxAB, which resulted in pKNG105. The disrupted blaA gene was then reintroduced into Y. enterocolitica chromosome by homologous recombinations in two steps. First, E. coli SM10 lambda pir (pKNG105) was mated with strains of Y. enterocolitica. This led to the integration of pKNG105 into the chromosome, by a single homologous recombination event. The transconjugants, selected for SmR, were sensitive to sucrose due to the synthesis of levans (toxic compounds), catalysed by levansucrase, the product of sacB. For the second step, a single colony from the first step was grown in rich medium deprived of antibiotic, allowing the occurrence of a second crossing-over that replaced the wild-type allele blaA with the mutant one, and then excised the plasmid-borne sacB from the chromosome. Such blaA mutants were selected on their ability to grow on TSA medium containing 5% sucrose.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

DNA Replication↗

Construction of a broad-host-range non-mobilizable stable vector carrying RP4 par-region.

Plasmid pXL1635 was constructed from the already segregationally stable incP-derived pRK290. Plasmid pXL1635 should be suitable for industrial and environmental uses in Gram- bacteria since (i) it contains the par fragment from RP4 which increases its stability in Pseudomonas denitrificans, a cobalamin-producing and industrially used bacterium, and (ii) the RK2 oriT has been deleted, leading to a non-mobilizable plasmid.

Base Sequence↗