Parameters associated with cloning in Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans.
Characterization of virulence traits in Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans requires the application of recombinant DNA techniques. To develop appropriate genetic tools it is necessary to identify suitable host-vector systems. The current study assessed cloning parameters in A. actinomycetemcomitans for two previously described vectors, pDMG4 and pMMB67. It was determined that the maximum size of recombinant molecules that could be transferred to A. actinomycetemcomitans strain ATCC29522 via electroporation was 33 kb. The size limit for transformation of the same strain with ligation mixtures (direct cloning), however, was limited to 23-24 kb. Additional experiments included electroporation of various A. actinomycetemcomitans strains with plasmid DNA isolated from Escherichia coli and different A. actinomycetemcomitans sources. Differences in transformation efficiencies suggested the presence of a restriction modification system for pDMG4 in some strains of A. actinomycetemcomitans. Cloning of portions of the enterococcal plasmid pJH1 into A. actinomycetemcomitans resulted in the insertion of the intact vector into the chromosome.
Galli
Dominique M
DM
School of Dentistry, Indiana University, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202, USA. dgalli@iupui.edu
Kerr
Micah S
MS
Fair
Amber D
AD
Permpanich
Piyanuj
P
LeBlanc
Donald J
DJ
D016976:Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans / Q000235:genetics*; D002876:Chromosomes, Bacterial; D003001:Cloning, Molecular / Q000379:methods*; D004262:DNA Restriction Enzymes / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D015280:DNA Restriction-Modification Enzymes / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D004251:DNA Transposable Elements; D018274:Electroporation; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000235:genetics; D010957:Plasmids; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D012093:Replicon; D014169:Transformation, Bacterial
D015280:DNA Restriction-Modification Enzymes; D004251:DNA Transposable Elements; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D004262:DNA Restriction Enzymes