Biomaterial Database

Identification of a region that influences host range of the streptococcal conjugative plasmid pIP501. 1991

E R Krah, and F L Macrina

Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond 23298-0678.

pIP501 is a member of a group of conjugative plasmids that are self-transmissible to a wide variety of streptococci as well as to other gram-positive bacteria. Several pIP501 restriction fragment deletion derivatives have been isolated and characterized. In this paper we describe one such derivative (pVA1702) which was conjugally proficient but had a limited host range. The loss of host range ability was seen as decreased conjugal transfer from Enterococcus faecalis to Streptococcus sanguis and was coincident with the deletion of a 4.5-kb DNA fragment. Transformation of pVA1702 into S. sanguis also was dramatically reduced as compared to its progenitor, suggesting the 4.5-kb fragment encoded a factor(s) necessary for stable maintenance in this host but not in E. faecalis. These observations suggest that pIP501 employs specific mechanisms enabling its maintenance in certain gram-positive bacteria.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D010957	Plasmids	Extrachromosomal, usually CIRCULAR DNA molecules that are self-replicating and transferable from one organism to another. They are found in a variety of bacterial, archaeal, fungal, algal, and plant species. They are used in GENETIC ENGINEERING as CLONING VECTORS.	Episomes,Episome,Plasmid
D002872	Chromosome Deletion	Actual loss of portion of a chromosome.	Monosomy, Partial,Partial Monosomy,Deletion, Chromosome,Deletions, Chromosome,Monosomies, Partial,Partial Monosomies
D003227	Conjugation, Genetic	A parasexual process in BACTERIA; ALGAE; FUNGI; and ciliate EUKARYOTA for achieving exchange of chromosome material during fusion of two cells. In bacteria, this is a uni-directional transfer of genetic material; in protozoa it is a bi-directional exchange. In algae and fungi, it is a form of sexual reproduction, with the union of male and female gametes.	Bacterial Conjugation,Conjugation, Bacterial,Genetic Conjugation
D013293	Enterococcus faecalis	A species of gram-positive, coccoid bacteria commonly isolated from clinical specimens and the human intestinal tract. Most strains are nonhemolytic.	Streptococcus Group D,Streptococcus faecalis
D013298	Streptococcus sanguis	A gram-positive organism found in dental plaque, in blood, on heart valves in subacute endocarditis, and infrequently in saliva and throat specimens. L-forms are associated with recurrent aphthous stomatitis.	Streptococcus sanguinis
D015183	Restriction Mapping	Use of restriction endonucleases to analyze and generate a physical map of genomes, genes, or other segments of DNA.	Endonuclease Mapping, Restriction,Enzyme Mapping, Restriction,Site Mapping, Restriction,Analysis, Restriction Enzyme,Enzyme Analysis, Restriction,Restriction Enzyme Analysis,Analyses, Restriction Enzyme,Endonuclease Mappings, Restriction,Enzyme Analyses, Restriction,Enzyme Mappings, Restriction,Mapping, Restriction,Mapping, Restriction Endonuclease,Mapping, Restriction Enzyme,Mapping, Restriction Site,Mappings, Restriction,Mappings, Restriction Endonuclease,Mappings, Restriction Enzyme,Mappings, Restriction Site,Restriction Endonuclease Mapping,Restriction Endonuclease Mappings,Restriction Enzyme Analyses,Restriction Enzyme Mapping,Restriction Enzyme Mappings,Restriction Mappings,Restriction Site Mapping,Restriction Site Mappings,Site Mappings, Restriction