title: Conjugal transfer of the gonococcal penicillinase plasmid.
abstract: Certain gonococci, which heretofore have lacked a conjugal mating system, can sexually transfer a small plasmid (4.5 x 10)6) daltons) which carries the gene for beta-lactamase production. Frequencies of conjugal transfer were similar into diverse recipients (other gonococci, Neisseria flava, and Escherichia coli), which suggests that gonococci may transfer the plasmid promiscuously in nature.
mesh_terms: D003227:Conjugation, Genetic; D004926:Escherichia coli; D005111:Extrachromosomal Inheritance; D005796:Genes; D009343:Neisseria / Q000502:physiology; D009344:Neisseria gonorrhoeae / Q000201:enzymology / Q000502:physiology*; D010403:Penicillin Resistance; D010405:Penicillinase / Q000378:metabolism*; D010957:Plasmids
chemical_list: D010405:Penicillinase