title: Novel transmissible factors in a non-O1 Vibrio cholerae and a Vibrio sp.
abstract: Transmissible factors encoding production of lacunae (L factors) were demonstrated in a non-O1 Vibrio cholerae and a Vibrio sp. of recent environmental origin. Lacunae were produced in lawns of non-O1 V. cholerae indicator strains under the same assay conditions as those where lacunae were produced by the well characterized P fertility plasmid of V. cholerae O1 and the V fertility factor found in a non-cholera vibrio strain. The origin of the lacunae produced by strains harbouring the V and L factors was examined. No vibriocin or phage activity was found in culture supernates or in lacunae produced by the strains, suggesting that, as in the case of the P plasmid, the lacunae probably represent sites of active mating. Unlike the P plasmid, neither the Vn or L factor could be detected or isolated by conventional plasmid techniques.
mesh_terms: D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D004587:Electrophoresis, Agar Gel; D005144:F Factor; D009693:Nucleic Acid Hybridization; D010957:Plasmids; D014733:Vibrio / Q000235:genetics*; D014734:Vibrio cholerae / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D004269:DNA, Bacterial