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Conjugal Transfer in Anaerobic Bacteria

  • Chapter
Bacterial Conjugation

Abstract

This chapter will review the biology and genetics of conjugative exchange in selected anaerobic bacteria. Specifically, conjugation in two genera, Bacteroides and Clostridium,will be the central theme. Conjugative systems in these two genera have been discovered and developed over the past 15 years. Although parallel systems are likely to emerge in other anaerobic bacteria, the advanced state of such systems in Bacteroides and Clostridium justifies limiting discussion in these two genera. There are multiple lines of interest driving the study of anaerobic bacteria. First, these organisms include important human and animal pathogens (11). Second, anaerobes, including Bacteroides and Clostridium,make up the bulk of the indigenous microflora of human beings and other mammals (21). This ecological position provides them with the opportunity to initiate infection at remote sites. Equally important, these organisms may contribute to pathology without leaving their normal niche. For example, both the Bacteroides and the clostridia have been implicated in the generation of potentially cocarcinogenic compounds in the human colon (10, 21). Colonic anaerobes also have been implicated in useful physiological process such as the production of nutrients and the degradation of complex dietary carbohydrates (42). Finally, anaerobic bacteria are of considerable interest to the biotechnologist. The metabolic diversity of the clostridia has been exploited in such processes as biodegradation, production of fuels and solvents, and biotransformations (23, 29, 70).

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  1. Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical College of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, 23298, USA

    Francis L. Macrina

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  1. Francis L. Macrina
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  1. Department of Biologic and Materials Sciences, School of Dentistry and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, The University of Michigan, 48109-0402, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA

    Don B. Clewell

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Macrina, F.L. (1993). Conjugal Transfer in Anaerobic Bacteria. In: Clewell, D.B. (eds) Bacterial Conjugation. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4757-9357-4_13

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4757-9357-4_13

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-0-306-44376-3

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