Abstract
R-plasmids RP4 and its derivatives R68.45 were transferred from Escherichia coli to two cowpea rhizobia strains. The frequency of RP4 transfer in cowpea rhizobia strains JRC23-SM20 and IRC256-HA409 was 1,000-fold higher than transfer frequency of R68.45. The transconjugants were further used to transfer R-plasmids within (isogenic) and between (non-isogenic) cowpea rhizobia strains. The plasmid transfer frequency was higher in isogenic than non-isogenic strains. The ability of R-plasmids to mobilize chromosomal genes in cowpea rhizobia was also examined. R-plasmids mediated the chromosomal transfer; however, mobilization of chromosomal markers SmR and Met+ by RP4 in isogenic strains was more efficient than by R68.45. Chromosomal mobilization has not previously been reported in cowpea rhizobia.
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Abbreviations
- Ap:
-
ampicillin
- Km:
-
kanamycin
- Tc:
-
tetracycline
- Rif:
-
rifampicin
- TYS:
-
tryptone yeast-extract sodium chloride
- YEMA:
-
yeast-extract mannitol agar
- YEMB:
-
yeast-extract mannitol broth
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Part of the work was presented in 6th International Symposium on Nitrogen Fixation at Oregon State University, Corvallis, August 4–10, 1985
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McLaughlin, W., Ahmad, M.H. Transfer of plasmids RP4 and R68.45 and chromosomal mobilization in cowpea rhizobia. Arch. Microbiol. 144, 408–411 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00409893
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00409893