title: Plasmids as scribbling pads for operon formation and propagation.
abstract: Many bacterial genes are in operons and the process whereby operons are formed is therefore fundamental. To help elucidate this process, we propose in the Scribbling Pad hypothesis that bacteria have been constantly using plasmids for genetic experimentation and, in particular, for the construction of operons. This hypothesis simultaneously solves the problems of the creation of operons and the way operons are propagated. We cite results in the literature to support the hypothesis and make experimental predictions to test it.
authors.affiliation: Theoretical Biology Unit, Department of Biology, University of Rouen, 76821 Mont Saint Aignan cedex, France. Victor.Norris@univ-rouen.fr
authors.forename: Vic
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Norris
authors.forename: Annabelle
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Merieau
mesh_terms: D001419:Bacteria / Q000235:genetics*; D008957:Models, Genetic; D009876:Operon; D010957:Plasmids / Q000235:genetics*
keywords: Chromosome; Evolution; Operon; Plasmid; Recombination