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A molecular analysis of transductional marker rescue involving P-group plasmids in Pseudomonas aeruginosa

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Summary

The molecular properties of the P-group plasmids R26, R527 and R18-18 (a carbenicillin-sensitive derivative of R18) have been compared with those of RP1. R18-18 and RP1 have a MW about 38×106 daltons, and R26 and R527 of 52×106 daltons (determined from contour lengths). All three plasmids have a buoyant density similar to that of RP1 (1.719 g/cm3, 60% G+C). From their molecular and phenotypic similarities, these plasmids probably represent two pairs of identical or closely similar elements.

Resistant bacteria are not recovered following F116L-mediated transduction of R26 (or R527), and this correlates with the plasmids' larger size (phage genome=40×106 daltons). Fragments of R26 are, however, transduced and their resistance determinants may be “rescued” by recombination if the recipient harbours R18-18. Such events are accompanied by an increase in the size of the recipient plasmid from 38×106 to 52×106 daltons following inheritance of the resistance determinants Sm Su Gm Hg, but not Cb. Thus, Sm Su Gm Hg are encoded in a DNA segment of MW about 14×106 daltons which apparently has no homologous region on R18-18. Since a piece of DNA of this MW also corresponds to the difference in size between R26 and R18-18, it is possible that the former is derived from an RP1-like element which has acquired these additional resistance determinants.

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Author notes

  1. J. M. Ortiz

    Present address: Departmento de Bioquimica, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Bilbao, Apartado de Bilbao, Bilbao, Spain

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Bacteriology, University of Bristol, Medical School, University Walk, BS8 1TD, Bristol, England

    Vilma A. Stanisich, P. M. Bennett & J. M. Ortiz

Authors
  1. Vilma A. Stanisich
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  2. P. M. Bennett
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  3. J. M. Ortiz
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Communicated by W. Arber

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Stanisich, V.A., Bennett, P.M. & Ortiz, J.M. A molecular analysis of transductional marker rescue involving P-group plasmids in Pseudomonas aeruginosa . Molec. Gen. Genet. 143, 333–337 (1976). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00269412

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