High-frequency conjugal plasmid transfer from gram-negative Escherichia coli to various gram-positive coryneform bacteria.
We report on the mobilization of shuttle plasmids from gram-negative Escherichia coli to gram-positive corynebacteria mediated by P-type transfer functions. Introduction of plasmids into corynebacteria was markedly enhanced after heat treatment of the recipient cells. High-frequency plasmid transfer was also observed when the restriction system of the recipient was mutated. On the basis of our data, we conclude that efficient DNA transfer from gram-negative to gram-positive bacteria, at least to coryneform bacteria, is conceivable in certain natural ecosystems.
Schäfer
A
A
Department of Genetics, University of Bielefeld, Federal Republic of Germany.
Kalinowski
J
J
Simon
R
R
Seep-Feldhaus
A H
AH
Pühler
A
A
D000192:Actinomycetales / Q000235:genetics*; D003227:Conjugation, Genetic; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000235:genetics*; D005822:Genetic Vectors; D006090:Gram-Negative Bacteria / Q000235:genetics*; D006094:Gram-Positive Bacteria / Q000235:genetics*; D010957:Plasmids; D013045:Species Specificity; D013696:Temperature