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Identification and characterization of two entry exclusion genes of the promiscuous IncP plasmid R18

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Summary.

Two entry exclusion genes (designatedeexA andeexB) from the promiscuous IncPα plasmid R18 have been isolated by molecular cloning. They are located between coordinates 26.6–27.4 kb and 27.4–27.6 kb, respectively and are transcribed clockwise on the conventional R18 map. The product of theeexA gene has an apparent molecular mass of 28 kDa and its N-terminus contains a putative signal sequence for protein export. A recombinant plasmid containing R18eex genes exerted Eex activity towards another promiscuous IncPα plasmid, R702, about 50 times more strongly than plasmid R18 itself. Analysis of the DNA sequence revealed no similarity to the eex genes of the F plasmid ofEscherichia coli. R18eexA includes a potentialkorB binding site and is followed by a potential transcription terminator. A Tn7 insertion at coordinate 20.0 kb of R18 resulted in a host range mutant pM01185, which leads to loss of Eex activity and of conjugative transfer of the plasmid into some bacterial species.

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Author notes

  1. Wolfgang Schilf

    Present address: TFH Berlin, Seestrasse 64, W-1000, Berlin 65, FRG

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Lehrstuhl für Genetik, Universität Bayreuth, W-8580, Bayreuth, FRG

    Monika Lessl & Wolfgang Schilf

  2. Department of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Monash University, 3168, Clayton, Australia

    Viji Krishnapillai

Authors
  1. Monika Lessl
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  2. Viji Krishnapillai
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  3. Wolfgang Schilf
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Communicated by W. Goebel

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Lessl, M., Krishnapillai, V. & Schilf, W. Identification and characterization of two entry exclusion genes of the promiscuous IncP plasmid R18. Molec. Gen. Genet. 227, 120–126 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00260716

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