Conjugative transfer facilitates stable maintenance of IncP-1 plasmid pKJK5 in Escherichia coli cells colonizing the gastrointestinal tract of the germfree rat.
Quantitative determination of IncP-1 plasmid loss from Escherichia coli cells colonizing the gastrointestinal tracts of germfree rats was achieved by flow cytometry. Results show that the plasmid's ability to conjugate counteracts plasmid loss and is thus an important mechanism for the stable maintenance of IncP-1 plasmids within the gastrointestinal environment.
Bahl
Martin Iain
MI
Department of Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Sølvgade 83H, DK-1307 Copenhagen K, Denmark.
Hansen
Lars Hestbjerg
LH
Licht
Tine Rask
TR
Sørensen
Søren J
SJ
D000818:Animals; D003227:Conjugation, Genetic; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development*; D029968:Escherichia coli Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D041981:Gastrointestinal Tract / Q000382:microbiology*; D005856:Germ-Free Life; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D010957:Plasmids / Q000235:genetics*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley
D029968:Escherichia coli Proteins; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins