Tn916 insertional inactivation of multiple genes on the chromosome of Streptococcus mutans GS-5.
Streptococcus mutans GS-5 was transformed with the Escherichia coli plasmid pAM150 containing the cloned streptococcal transposon Tn916. Southern blot analyses with the tetracycline-resistant determinant of Tn916 showed that Tn916 was inserted into the chromosome of S. mutans at a variety of different sites. Tn916 insertions resulted in the inactivation of genes that code for various steps in the biosynthesis of several different amino acids. Two auxotrophs which contained a single copy of Tn916 were shown to revert to prototrophy at frequencies of about 10(-8). All of the revertant prototrophs were susceptible to tetracycline, indicating regeneration of the functional gene by excision of Tn916.
Procino
J K
JK
Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Temple University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19140.
Marri
L
L
Shockman
G D
GD
Daneo-Moore
L
L
D004251:DNA Transposable Elements; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics; D005798:Genes, Bacterial; D009154:Mutation; D013295:Streptococcus mutans / Q000235:genetics*
D004251:DNA Transposable Elements; D004269:DNA, Bacterial