Diversity and linkage of replication and mobilisation genes in Bacillus rolling circle-replicating plasmids from diverse geographical origins.
The prevalence, diversity and linkage of pTA-related plasmid rep and mob genes in 18 plasmids from three closely related species of Bacillus from diverse geographical locations have been investigated using PCR. pTA-related rep and mob sequences were both amplified from 13 of the 18 plasmids. For one plasmid, pBM9, only a pTA-related mob gene was amplified, whilst only a pTA-related rep gene was amplified from the Bacillus licheniformis plasmid pBL2. No products were amplified for either gene from two other B. licheniformis plasmids or from a larger 16-kb Bacillus subtilis plasmid, pBS6. Whilst simple gene detection suggests close linkage of both pTA-related rep and mob genes, on most of these plasmids, sequence analysis of amplified genes revealed more complex linkage relationships varying with geographical origin, plasmid size and bacterial host.
Mason
Vince P
VP
Department of Biological Sciences, University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester CO4 3SQ, UK.
Syrett
Natalie
N
Hassanali
Tasneem
T
Osborn
A Mark
AM