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998500.9476Identification of the First Gene Transfer Agent (GTA) Small Terminase in Rhodobacter capsulatus and Its Role in GTA Production and Packaging of DNA. Genetic exchange mediated by viruses of bacteria (bacteriophages) is the primary driver of rapid bacterial evolution. The priority of viruses is usually to propagate themselves. Most bacteriophages use the small terminase protein to identify their own genome and direct its inclusion into phage capsids. Gene transfer agents (GTAs) are descended from bacteriophages, but they instead package fragments of the entire bacterial genome without preference for their own genes. GTAs do not selectively target specific DNA, and no GTA small terminases are known. Here, we identified the small terminase from the model Rhodobacter capsulatus GTA, which then allowed prediction of analogues in other species. We examined the role of the small terminase in GTA production and propose a structural basis for random DNA packaging.IMPORTANCE Random transfer of any and all genes between bacteria could be influential in the spread of virulence or antimicrobial resistance genes. Discovery of the true prevalence of GTAs in sequenced genomes is hampered by their apparent similarity to bacteriophages. Our data allowed the prediction of small terminases in diverse GTA producer species, and defining the characteristics of a "GTA-type" terminase could be an important step toward novel GTA identification. Importantly, the GTA small terminase shares many features with its phage counterpart. We propose that the GTA terminase complex could become a streamlined model system to answer fundamental questions about double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) packaging by viruses that have not been forthcoming to date.201931534034
110.9476Constructs for insertional mutagenesis, transcriptional signal localization and gene regulation studies in root nodule and other bacteria. Cassettes have been developed that contain an antibiotic resistance marker with and without a promoterless gusA reporter gene. The nptII (encoding kanamycin resistance) or aacCI (encoding gentamicin resistance) genes were equipped with the tac promoter (Ptac) and the trpA terminator (TtrpA) and then cloned between NotI sites to construct the CAS-Nm (Ptac-nptII-TtrpA) and CAS-Gm (Ptac/PaacCI-aacCI-TtrpA) cassettes. The markers were also cloned downstream to a modified promoterless Escherichia coli gusA gene (containing TGA stop codons in all three reading frames prior to its RBS and start codon) to construct the CAS-GNm (gusA-Ptac-nptII-TtrpA) or CAS-GGm (gusA-Ptac/PaacCI-aacCI-TtrpA) cassettes. Cassettes containing the promoterless gusA create type I fusions with a target DNA sequence to detect transcriptional activity. The promoterless gusA gene has also been cloned into a broad-host-range IncP1 plasmid. This construct will enable transcriptional activity to be monitored in different genetic backgrounds. Each cassette was cloned as a NotI fragment into the NotI site of a pUT derivative to construct four minitransposons. The mTn5-Nm (containing Ptac-nptII-TtrpA) and mTn5-Gm (containing Ptac/PaacCI-aacCI-TtrpA) minitransposons have been constructed specifically for insertional inactivation studies. The minitransposons mTn5-GNm (containing gusA-Ptac-nptII-TtrpA) and mTn5-GGm (containing gusA-Ptac/PaacCI-aacCI-TtrpA) can be used for transcription signal localization or insertional inactivation. The TAC-31R and TAC-105F primers can be used to sequence DNA flanking both sides of CAS-Nm, CAS-Gm, mTn5-Nm and mTn5-Gm. The WIL3 and TAC-105F primers can be used to sequence DNA flanking both sides of CAS-GNm, CAS-GGm, mTn5-GNm and mTn5-GGm. The specific application of these constructs to generate acid- or nodule-inducible fusions is presented. The new constructs provide useful tools for insertional mutagenesis, transcriptional signal localization and gene regulation studies in the root nodule bacteria and possibly other gram-negative bacteria.199910411257
34820.9416Conjugative DNA transfer in Streptomyces by TraB: is one protein enough? Antibiotic-producing soil bacteria of the genus Streptomyces form a huge natural reservoir of antibiotic resistance genes for the dissemination within the soil community. Streptomyces plasmids encode a unique conjugative DNA transfer system clearly distinguished from classical conjugation involving a single-stranded DNA molecule and a type IV protein secretion system. Only a single plasmid-encoded protein, TraB, is sufficient to translocate a double-stranded DNA molecule into the recipient in Streptomyces matings. TraB is a hexameric pore-forming ATPase that resembles the chromosome segregator protein FtsK and translocates DNA by recognizing specific 8-bp repeats present in the plasmid clt locus. Mobilization of chromosomal genes does not require integration of the plasmid, because TraB also recognizes clt-like sequences distributed all over the chromosome.201223082971
230.9407A Widespread Glycosidase Confers Lobophorin Resistance and Host-Dependent Structural Diversity. Identifying new environmental resistance determinants is significant to combat rising antibiotic resistance. Herein we report the unexpected correlation of a lobophorin (LOB) resistance-related glycosidase KijX with the host-dependent chemical diversity of LOBs, by a process of glycosylation, deglycosylation and reglycosylation. KijX homologues are widespread among bacteria, archaea and fungi, and encode the same glycohydrolytic activity on LOBs. The crystal structure of AcvX (a KijX homologue) shows a similar fold to that of the glycoside hydrolase family 113 and a special negatively charged groove to accommodate and deglycosylate LOBs. Antagonistic assays indicate kijX as a defense weapon of actinomycetes to combat LOB producers in environment, reflecting an elegant coevolution relationship. Our study provides insight into the KijX-related glycosidases as preexisting resistance determinants and represents an example of resistance genes accidentally integrated into natural product assembly.202337076762
53040.9407Location of the genes for anthranilate synthase in Streptomyces venezuelae ISP5230: genetic mapping after integration of the cloned genes. The anthranilate synthase (trpEG) genes in Streptomyces venezuelae ISP5230 were located by allowing a segregationally unstable plasmid carrying cloned S. venezuelae trpEG DNA and a thiostrepton resistance (tsr) marker to integrate into the chromosome. The integrated tsr was mapped by conjugation and transduction to a location close to tyr-2, between arg-6 and trpA13. A genomic DNA fragment containing trpC from S. venezuelae ISP5230 was cloned by complementation of a trpC mutation in Streptomyces lividans. Evidence from restriction enzyme analysis of the cloned DNA fragments, from Southern hybridization using the cloned trp DNA as probes, and from cotransduction frequencies, placed trpEG at a distance of 12-45 kb from the trpCBA cluster. The overall arrangement of tryptophan biosynthesis genes in the S. venezuelae chromosome differs from that in other bacteria examined so far.19938515229
39150.9406New derivatives of transposon Tn5 suitable for mobilization of replicons, generation of operon fusions and induction of genes in gram-negative bacteria. Three types of new variants of the broad-host-range transposon Tn5 are described. (i) Tn5-mob derivatives with the new selective resistance (R) markers GmR, SpR and TcR facilitate the efficient mobilization of replicons within a wide range of Gram-negative bacteria. (ii) Promoter probe transposons carry the promoterless reporter genes lacZ, nptII, or luc, and NmR, GmR or TcR as selective markers. These transposons can be used to generate transcriptional fusions upon insertion, thus facilitating accurate determinations of gene expression. (iii) Tn5-P-out derivatives carry the npt- or tac-promoter reading out from the transposon, and TcR, NmR or GmR genes. These variants allow the constitutive expression of downstream genes. The new Tn5 variants are available on mobilizable Escherichia coli vectors suitable as suicidal carriers for transposon mutagenesis of non-E. coli recipients and some on a phage lambda mutant to be used for transposon mutagenesis in E. coli.19892551782
35760.9404New antibiotic resistance cassettes suitable for genetic studies in Borrelia burgdorferi. In this report we describe two distinct approaches to develop new antibiotic resistance cassettes that allow for efficient selection of Borrelia burgdorferi transformants. The first approach utilizes fusions of borrelial flagellar promoters to antibiotic resistance markers from other bacteria. The AACC1 gene, which encodes a gentamicin acetyltransferase, conferred a high level of gentamicin resistance in B. Burfdorferi when expressed from these promoters. No cross-resistance occurred between this cassette and the kanamycin resistance cassette, which was previously developed in an analogous fashion. A second and different approach was taken to develop an efficient selectable marker that confers resistance to the antibiotic coumermycin A1. A synthetic gene was designed from the GYRB301 allele of the coumermycin-resistant B. Burgdorferi strain B31-NGR by altering the coding sequence at the wobble position. The resulting gene, GYRB(SYN), encodes a protein identical to the product of GYRB301, but the genes share only 66% nucleotide identity. The nucleotide sequence of GYRB(SYN)is sufficiently divergent from the endogenous B. Burgdorferi GYRB gene to prevent recombination between them. The cassettes described in this paper improve our repertoire of genetic tools in B. Burgdorferi. These studies also provide insight into parameters governing recombination and gene expression in B. Burgdorferi.200314593251
300170.9403IS26 and the IS26 family: versatile resistance gene movers and genome reorganizers. SUMMARYIn Gram-negative bacteria, the insertion sequence IS26 is highly active in disseminating antibiotic resistance genes. IS26 can recruit a gene or group of genes into the mobile gene pool and support their continued dissemination to new locations by creating pseudo-compound transposons (PCTs) that can be further mobilized by the insertion sequence (IS). IS26 can also enhance expression of adjacent potential resistance genes. IS26 encodes a DDE transposase but has unique properties. It forms cointegrates between two separate DNA molecules using two mechanisms. The well-known copy-in (replicative) route generates an additional IS copy and duplicates the target site. The recently discovered and more efficient and targeted conservative mechanism requires an IS in both participating molecules and does not generate any new sequence. The unit of movement for PCTs, known as a translocatable unit or TU, includes only one IS26. TU formed by homologous recombination between the bounding IS26s can be reincorporated via either cointegration route. However, the targeted conservative reaction is key to generation of arrays of overlapping PCTs seen in resistant pathogens. Using the copy-in route, IS26 can also act on a site in the same DNA molecule, either inverting adjacent DNA or generating an adjacent deletion plus a circular molecule carrying the DNA segment lost and an IS copy. If reincorporated, these circular molecules create a new PCT. IS26 is the best characterized IS in the IS26 family, which includes IS257/IS431, ISSau10, IS1216, IS1006, and IS1008 that are also implicated in spreading resistance genes in Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogens.202438436262
300080.9401A large conjugative Acinetobacter baumannii plasmid carrying the sul2 sulphonamide and strAB streptomycin resistance genes. Acinetobacter baumannii is an important nosocomial pathogen that often complicates treatment because of its high level of resistance to antibiotics. Though plasmids can potentially introduce various genes into bacterial strains, compared to other Gram-negative bacteria, information about the unique A. baumannii plasmid repertoire is limited. Here, whole genome sequence data was used to determine the plasmid content of strain A297 (RUH875), the reference strain for the globally disseminated multiply resistant A. baumannii clone, global clone 1(GC1). A297 contains three plasmids. Two known plasmids were present; one, pA297-1 (pRAY*), carries the aadB gentamicin, kanamycin and tobramycin resistance gene and another is an 8.7kb cryptic plasmid often found in GC1 isolates. The third plasmid, pA297-3, is 200kb and carries the sul2 sulphonamide resistance gene and strAB streptomycin resistance gene within Tn6172 and a mer mercuric ion resistance module elsewhere. pA297-3 transferred sulphonamide, streptomycin and mercuric ion resistance at high frequency to a susceptible A. baumannii recipient, and contains several genes potentially involved in conjugative transfer. However, a relaxase gene was not found. It also includes several genes encoding proteins involved in DNA metabolism such as partitioning. However, a gene encoding a replication initiation protein could not be found. pA297-3 includes two copies of a Miniature Inverted-Repeat Transposable Element (MITE), named MITE-297, bracketing a 77.5kb fragment, which contains several IS and the mer module. Several plasmids related to but smaller than pA297-3 were found in the GenBank nucleotide database. They were found in different A. baumannii clones and are wide spread. They all contain either Tn6172 or a variant in the same position in the backbone as Tn6172 in pA297-3. Some related plasmids have lost the segment between the MITE-297 copies and retain only one MITE-297. Others have segments of various lengths between two MITE-297 copies, and these can be derived from the region in pA297-3 via a deletion adjacent to IS related to IS26 such as IS1007 or IS1007-like. pA297-3 and its relatives represent a third type of conjugative Acinetobacter plasmid that contributes to the dissemination of antibiotic resistance in this species.201627601280
53490.9399Plasmid shuttle vector with two insertionally inactivable markers for coryneform bacteria. A new shuttle vector pCEM500 replicating in Escherichia coli and in Brevibacterium flavum was constructed. It carries two antibiotic resistance determinants (Kmr/Gmr from plasmid pSa of Gram-negative bacteria and Smr/Spr from plasmid pCG4 of Corynebacterium glutamicum) which are efficiently expressed in both hosts and can be inactivated by insertion of DNA fragments into the unique restriction endonuclease sites located within them. This vector was found to be stably maintained in B. flavum and can be used for transfer of the cloned genes into this amino-acid-producing coryneform bacterium.19902148164
531100.9396p-Aminobenzoic acid and chloramphenicol biosynthesis in Streptomyces venezuelae: gene sets for a key enzyme, 4-amino-4-deoxychorismate synthase. Amplification of sequences from Streptomyces venezuelae ISP5230 genomic DNA using PCR with primers based on conserved prokaryotic pabB sequences gave two main products. One matched pabAB, a locus previously identified in S. venezuelae. The second closely resembled the conserved pabB sequence consensus and hybridized with a 3.8 kb NcoI fragment of S. venezuelae ISP5230 genomic DNA. Cloning and sequence analysis of the 3.8 kb fragment detected three ORFs, and their deduced amino acid sequences were used in BLAST searches of the GenBank database. The ORF1 product was similar to PabB in other bacteria and to the PabB domain encoded by S. venezuelae pabAB. The ORF2 product resembled PabA of other bacteria. ORF3 was incomplete; its deduced partial amino acid sequence placed it in the MocR group of GntR-type transcriptional regulators. Introducing vectors containing the 3.8 kb NcoI fragment of S. venezuelae DNA into pabA and pabB mutants of Escherichia coli, or into the Streptomyces lividans pab mutant JG10, enhanced sulfanilamide resistance in the host strains. The increased resistance was attributed to expression of the pair of discrete translationally coupled p-aminobenzoic acid biosynthesis genes (designated pabB/pabA) cloned in the 3.8 kb fragment. These represent a second set of genes encoding 4-amino-4-deoxychorismate synthase in S. venezuelae ISP5230. In contrast to the fused pabAB set previously isolated from this species, they do not participate in chloramphenicol biosynthesis, but like pabAB they can be disrupted without affecting growth on minimal medium. The gene disruption results suggest that S. venezuelae may have a third set of genes encoding PABA synthase.200111495989
9986110.9396Identification and characterization of thousands of bacteriophage satellites across bacteria. Bacteriophage-bacteria interactions are affected by phage satellites, elements that exploit phages for transfer between bacteria. Satellites can encode defense systems, antibiotic resistance genes, and virulence factors, but their number and diversity are unknown. We developed SatelliteFinder to identify satellites in bacterial genomes, detecting the four best described families: P4-like, phage inducible chromosomal islands (PICI), capsid-forming PICI, and PICI-like elements (PLE). We vastly expanded the number of described elements to ∼5000, finding bacterial genomes with up to three different families of satellites. Most satellites were found in Proteobacteria and Firmicutes, but some are in novel taxa such as Actinobacteria. We characterized the gene repertoires of satellites, which are variable in size and composition, and their genomic organization, which is very conserved. Phylogenies of core genes in PICI and cfPICI indicate independent evolution of their hijacking modules. There are few other homologous core genes between other families of satellites, and even fewer homologous to phages. Hence, phage satellites are ancient, diverse, and probably evolved multiple times independently. Given the many bacteria infected by phages that still lack known satellites, and the recent proposals for novel families, we speculate that we are at the beginning of the discovery of massive numbers and types of satellites.202336869669
390120.9395A new simple method for introducing an unmarked mutation into a large gene of non-competent Gram-negative bacteria by FLP/FRT recombination. BACKGROUND: For the disruption of a target gene in molecular microbiology, unmarked mutagenesis is preferable to marked mutagenesis because the former method raises no concern about the polar effect and leaves no selection marker. In contrast to naturally competent bacteria, there is no useful method for introducing an unmarked mutation into a large gene of non-competent bacteria. Nevertheless, large genes encoding huge proteins exist in diverse bacteria and are interesting and important for physiology and potential applications. Here we present a new method for introducing an unmarked mutation into such large genes of non-competent Gram-negative bacteria. RESULTS: Two gene replacement plasmids, pJQFRT and pKFRT/FLP, were constructed to apply the FLP/FRT recombination system to introduce an unmarked mutation into a large gene of non-competent Gram-negative bacteria. In our methodology, pJQFRT and pKFRT/FLP are integrated into the upstream and the downstream regions of a target gene, respectively, through homologous recombination. The resultant mutant has antibiotic resistance markers, the sacB counter-selection marker, flp recombinase under the control of the tetR regulator, and identical FRT sites sandwiching the target gene and the markers on its chromosome. By inducing the expression of flp recombinase, the target gene is completely deleted together with the other genes derived from the integrated plasmids, resulting in the generation of an unmarked mutation. By this method, we constructed an unmarked mutant of ataA, which encodes the huge trimeric autotransporter adhesin (3,630 aa), in a non-competent Gram-negative bacterium, Acinetobacter sp. Tol 5. The unmarked ataA mutant showed the same growth rate as wild type Tol 5, but lost the adhesive properties of Tol 5, similar to the transposon-inserted mutant of ataA that we generated previously. CONCLUSIONS: The feasibility of our methodology was evidenced by the construction of an unmarked ataA mutant in the Tol 5 strain. Since FLP/FRT recombination can excise a long region of DNA exceeding 100 kb, our method has the potential to selectively disrupt much larger genes or longer regions of gene clusters than ataA. Our methodology allows the straightforward and efficient introduction of an unmarked mutation into a large gene or gene cluster of non-enterobacterial Gram-negative bacteria.201323594401
9976130.9395New ΦBT1 site-specific integrative vectors with neutral phenotype in Streptomyces. Integrative plasmids are one of the best options to introduce genes in low copy and in a stable form into bacteria. The ΦC31-derived plasmids constitute the most common integrative vectors used in Streptomyces. They integrate at different positions (attB and pseudo-attB sites) generating different mutations. The less common ΦBT1-derived vectors integrate at the unique attB site localized in the SCO4848 gene (S. coelicolor genome) or their orthologues in other streptomycetes. This work demonstrates that disruption of SCO4848 generates a delay in spore germination. SCO4848 is co-transcribed with SCO4849, and the spore germination phenotype is complemented by SCO4849. Plasmids pNG1-4 were created by modifying the ΦBT1 integrative vector pMS82 by introducing a copy of SCO4849 under the control of the promoter region of SCO4848. pNG2 and pNG4 also included a copy of the P ermE * in order to facilitate gene overexpression. pNG3 and pNG4 harboured a copy of the bla gene (ampicillin resistance) to facilitate selection in E. coli. pNG1-4 are the only integrative vectors designed to produce a neutral phenotype when they are integrated into the Streptomyces genome. The experimental approach developed in this work can be applied to create phenotypically neutral integrative plasmids in other bacteria.201626758297
338140.9394Repair by genetic recombination in bacteria: overview. DNA molecules that have been damaged in both strands at the same level are not subject to repair by excision but instead can be repaired through recombination with homologous molecules. Examples of two-strand damage include postreplication gaps opposite pyrimidine dimers, two-strand breaks produced by X-rays, and chemically induced interstrand cross-links. In ultraviolet-irradiated bacteria, the newly synthesized DNA is of length equal to the interdimer spacing. With continued incubation, this low-molecular-weight DNA is joined into high-molecular-weight chains (postreplication repair), a process associated with sister exchanges in bacteria. Recombination is initiated by pyrimidine dimers opposite postreplication gaps and by interstrand cross-links that have been cut by excision enzymes. The free ends at the resulting gaps presumably initiate the exchanges. Postreplication repair in Escherichia coli occurs in recB- AND RECC but is greatly slowed in recF- mutants. RecB and recC are the structural genes for exonuclease V, which digests two-stranded DNA by releasing oligonucleotides first from one strand and then from the other. The postreplication sister exchanges in ultra-violet-irradiated bacteria result in the distribution of pyrimidine dimers between parental and daughter strands, indicating that long exchanges involving both strands of each duplex occur. The R1 restriction endonuclease from E. COli has been used to cut the DNA of a bacterial drug-resistance transfer factor with one nuclease-sensitive site, and also DNA from the frog Xenopus enriched for ribosomal 18S and 28S genes. The fragments were annealed with the cut plasmid DNA and ligated, producing a new larger plasmid carrying the eukaryotic rDNA and able to infect and replicate in E. coli.19751103833
397150.9393PCR-targeted Streptomyces gene replacement identifies a protein domain needed for biosynthesis of the sesquiterpene soil odor geosmin. Streptomycetes are high G+C Gram-positive, antibiotic-producing, mycelial soil bacteria. The 8.7-Mb Streptomyces coelicolor genome was previously sequenced by using an ordered library of Supercos-1 clones. Here, we describe an efficient procedure for creating precise gene replacements in the cosmid clones by using PCR targeting and lambda-Red-mediated recombination. The cloned Streptomyces genes are replaced with a cassette containing a selectable antibiotic resistance and oriT(RK2) for efficient transfer to Streptomyces by RP4-mediated intergeneric conjugation. Supercos-1 does not replicate in Streptomyces, but the clones readily undergo double-crossover recombination, thus creating gene replacements. The antibiotic resistance cassettes are flanked by yeast FLP recombinase target sequences for removal of the antibiotic resistance and oriT(RK2) to generate unmarked, nonpolar mutations. The technique has been used successfully by >20 researchers to mutate around 100 Streptomyces genes. As an example, we describe its application to the discovery of a gene involved in the production of geosmin, the ubiquitous odor of soil. The gene, Sco6073 (cyc2), codes for a protein with two sesquiterpene synthase domains, only one of which is required for geosmin biosynthesis, probably via a germacra-1 (10) E,5E-dien-11-ol intermediate generated by the sesquiterpene synthase from farnesyl pyrophosphate.200312563033
820160.9392Nucleotide sequence analysis of a transposon (Tn5393) carrying streptomycin resistance genes in Erwinia amylovora and other gram-negative bacteria. A class II Tn3-type transposable element, designated Tn5393 and located on plasmid pEa34 from streptomycin-resistant strain CA11 of Erwinia amylovora, was identified by its ability to move from pEa34 to different sites in plasmids pGEM3Zf(+) and pUCD800. Nucleotide sequence analysis reveals that Tn5393 consists of 6,705 bp with 81-bp terminal inverted repeats and generates 5-bp duplications of the target DNA following insertion. Tn5393 contains open reading frames that encode a putative transposase (tnpA) and resolvase (tnpR) of 961 and 181 amino acids, respectively. The two open reading frames are separated by a putative recombination site (res) consisting of 194 bp. Two streptomycin resistance genes, strA and strB, were identified on the basis of their DNA sequence homology to streptomycin resistance genes in plasmid RSF1010. StrA is separated from tnpR by a 1.2-kb insertion element designated IS1133. The tnpA-res-tnpR region of Tn5393 was detected in Pseudomonas syringae pv. papulans Psp36 and in many other gram-negative bacteria harboring strA and strB. Except for some strains of Erwinia herbicola, these other gram-negative bacteria lacked insertion sequence IS1133. The prevalence of strA and strB could be accounted for by transposition of Tn5393 to conjugative plasmids that are then disseminated widely among gram-negative bacteria.19938380801
349170.9392Mini-Tn5 transposon derivatives for insertion mutagenesis, promoter probing, and chromosomal insertion of cloned DNA in gram-negative eubacteria. A collection of Tn5-derived minitransposons has been constructed that simplifies substantially the generation of insertion mutants, in vivo fusions with reporter genes, and the introduction of foreign DNA fragments into the chromosome of a variety of gram-negative bacteria, including the enteric bacteria and typical soil bacteria like Pseudomonas species. The minitransposons consist of genes specifying resistance to kanamycin, chloramphenicol, streptomycin-spectinomycin, and tetracycline as selection markers and a unique NotI cloning site flanked by 19-base-pair terminal repeat sequences of Tn5. Further derivatives also contain lacZ, phoA, luxAB, or xylE genes devoid of their native promoters located next to the terminal repeats in an orientation that affords the generation of gene-operon fusions. The transposons are located on a R6K-based suicide delivery plasmid that provides the IS50R transposase tnp gene in cis but external to the mobile element and whose conjugal transfer to recipients is mediated by RP4 mobilization functions in the donor.19902172217
344180.9392Identification of genes in Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. trifolii whose products are homologues to a family of ATP-binding proteins. The specific interaction between rhizobia and their hosts requires many genes that influence both early and late steps in symbiosis. Three new genes, designated prsD, prsE (protein secretion) and orf3, were identified adjacent to the exo133 mutation in a cosmid carrying the genomic DNA of Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. trifolii TA1. The prsDE genes share significant homology to the genes encoding ABC transporter proteins PrtDE from Erwinia chrysanthemi and AprDE from Pseudomonas aeruginosa which export the proteases in these bacteria. PrsD shows at least five potential transmembrane hydrophobic regions and a large hydrophilic domain containing an ATP/GTP binding cassette. PrsE has only one potential transmembrane hydrophobic domain in the N-terminal part and is proposed to function as an accessory factor in the transport system. ORF3, like PrtF and AprF, has a typical N-terminal signal sequence but has no homology to these proteins. The insertion of a kanamycin resistance cassette into the prsD gene of the R. leguminosarum bv. trifolii TA1 wild-type strain created a mutant which produced a normal amount of exopolysaccharide but was not effective in the nodulation of clover plants.19979141701
355190.9391Evolution of multiple-antibiotic-resistance plasmids mediated by transposable plasmid deoxyribonucleic acid sequences. Two plasmid deoxyribonucleic acid sequences mediating multiple antibiotic resistance transposed in vivo between coexisting plasmids in clinical isolates of Serratia marcescens. This event resulted in the evolution of a transferable multiresistance plasmid. Both sequences, designated in Tn1699 and Tn1700, were flanked by inverted deoxyribonucleic acid repetitions and could transpose between replicons independently of the Excherichia coli recA gene function. Tn1699 and Tn1700 mediated ampicillin, carbenicillin, kanamycin, and gentamicin resistance but differed in the type of gentamicin-acetyltransferase enzymes that they encoded. The structural genes for these enzymes share a great deal of polynucleotide sequence similarity despite their phenotypic differences. The transposition of Tn1699 and Tn1700 to coresident transferable plasmids has contributed to the dissemination of antibiotic resistance among other gram-negative bacteria. These organisms have recently caused nosocomial infections in epidemic proportions.1979387747