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Soil properties affecting adsorption of plasmid DNA and its transformation efficiency in Escherichia coli

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Abstract

We examined the soil properties affecting adsorption of plasmid DNA and its transformation efficiency using competent Escherichia coli cells in sterile forested Andosols (n = 2), arable Andosols (n = 3), arable Cambisols (n = 2), and humic acid. Organic matter-removed soil samples were also prepared by subjecting each soil to ignition treatment. The amount of plasmid DNA adsorbed was influenced by individual soil properties rather than soil types and fertilizer management practices. Among the soil properties determined, organic matter content and pH appeared to have the greatest influence on the amount of DNA adsorbed onto soil samples. Adsorption of plasmid DNA greatly repressed the transformation efficiency of E. coli relative to free DNA. Decreased transformation efficiency was observed in samples showing high binding affinity for plasmid DNA, and the affinity appeared to be affected by exchangeable Ca, soil texture, and humic acid.

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Acknowledgments

We are grateful to Y. Tateno and Y. Ichikawa for their technical assistance. This study was supported by a Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B) from the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (grant no. 22380180).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, Shinshu University, 3-1-1 Asahi, Matsumoto, 390-8621, Japan

    Takashi Kunito, Yasutaka Ihyo, Hiromu Miyahara & Ryo Seta

  2. Nagano Prefecture Vegetable and Ornamental Crops Experiment Station, 1066-1 Tokoo, Soga, Shiojiri, 399-6461, Japan

    Seishi Yoshida

  3. Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Shinshu University, 3-1-1 Asahi, Matsumoto, 390-8621, Japan

    Hiroyoshi Kubo

  4. Soil Science and Plant Nutrition Division, NARO Agricultural Research Center, 3-1-1 Kannondai, Tsukuba, 305-8666, Japan

    Kazunari Nagaoka

  5. Department of Biochemical Science and Technology, Faculty of Agriculture, Kagoshima University, 1-21-24 Korimoto, Kagoshima, 890-0065, Japan

    Masao Sakai

  6. Biotron Institute, Kyushu University, 6-10-1 Hakozaki, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka, 812-8581, Japan

    Kazutoshi Saeki

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  1. Takashi Kunito
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Correspondence to Takashi Kunito.

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Kunito, T., Ihyo, Y., Miyahara, H. et al. Soil properties affecting adsorption of plasmid DNA and its transformation efficiency in Escherichia coli . Biol Fertil Soils 52, 223–231 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00374-015-1068-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00374-015-1068-2

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