cis-Dominant, transfer-deficient mutants of the Escherichia coli K-12 F sex factor

Diminished immunogenicity of a recombination-deficient derivative of Vibrio cholerae vaccine strain CVD103

To address potential concerns over the release of genetically engineered live bacterial vaccines, we constructed a recombination-deficient derivative of the Vibrio cholerae O1 vaccine strain CVD103 (CVD103RM). Oral immunization of adult volunteers with CVD103RM showed that the recA mutation significantly diminished colonization ability and immunogenicity of the vaccine strain.

Transfer of chromosomal mutations to plasmids via Hfr-mediated conduction

Nonconjugative plasmids can be transferred from an Hfr donor to a recipient by Hfr-mediated conduction. We found that this phenomenon can be employed to obtain a plasmid in which a mutation in a chromosomal gene has been transferred to the copy of that gene contained in the hybrid plasmid.

Formation of delta tra F' plasmids: specific recombination at oriT

Delta tra F' plasmids can be isolated from matings between Hfr donors and recA- recipients, with selection for transfer of proximal chromosomal genes. Previous experiments indicate that F DNA from the neighborhood of the transfer origin up to the proximal junction with the chromosomal DNA is present on these plasmids, together with chromosomal segments, some of which belong to distinct size classes. We have sequenced across the novel joints contained in five delta tra FproA+ plasmids and in five delta tra FpurE+ plasmids, and we have compared these with the F sequence near oriT and with a chromosomal site near purE. The previously reported specificity in formation of some of these classes is confirmed at the nucleotide sequence level. The F DNA in nine of these novel joints extended beyond the nicking sites identified by others in lambda oriT+ bacteriophages up to a position between two sequenced oriT- mutations. Small plasmids containing these novel joints are mobilized in trans by pOX38 at frequencies less than 5 X 10(-7) times the mobilization frequencies for similar plasmids that contain oriT. The relations of these findings to the location of the nicking site at oriT are discussed.

Use of chromosomal integration in the establishment and expression of blaZ, a Staphylococcus aureus beta-lactamase gene, in Bacillus subtilis

With several different vectors, attempts were made to establish blaZ, a Staphylococcus aureus beta-lactamase gene, in Bacillus subtilis. Stable establishment of blaZ in B. subtilis was achieved by use of a vector that allowed the integration of a single copy of the gene into the chromosome of that host. blaZ was expressed in the heterologous host since B. subtilis strains carrying integrated blaZ produced beta-lactamase and were more resistant to ampicillin than was wild-type B. subtilis. blaZ was stably inherited in such strains, as no loss of the ability to produce beta-lactamase was observed after growth in nonselective liquid medium or on solid medium. In contrast, a blaZ-containing restriction fragment could not be established in B. subtilis with either pUB110- or pC194-based vectors. Similarly, a pC194-based shuttle vector (pGX318) containing the 5' end of blaZ (including the promoter and the coding region for the signal sequence and the first few amino acids of the mature protein) was unable to transform B. subtilis. Two derivatives of pGX318 that could be stably established in B. subtilis were isolated. The structures of these derivatives suggested that inactivation of the blaZ promoter was associated with the acquisition of the ability to be established.

Formation of type II F-primes from unstable Hfrs and their recA-independent conversion to other F-prime types

Four E. coli Hfr strains, representing stable (Hfr Cavalli), moderately stable (AB312) and unstable (Ra-1, Ra-2) Hfr states, were used in the isolation of a series of F' plasmids. Type II F's were found to be the most prevalent F' plasmid formed from all of the Hfrs, while the percentages of delta tra F's increased as the stability of the Hfr increased. Two observations suggested that F' formation in unstable Hfrs like Ra-2 may proceed through a type II F' precursor. First, the major F' products of Ra-2 are tra+ type II F's and, second, other F' types (I, II) and classes (tra+, delta tra) from Ra-2 appeared to be deletion derivatives of a larger F' progenitor. By monitoring the molecular changes that occur when the Ra-2 derived type II F' pWS200 is transferred from one recA host to another, we have found that all F' types and classes can be generated from pWS200 in a recA-independent manner. F sequences involved in the genetic conversions of pWS200 include the oriT locus and the directly repeated gamma delta junctions of F and chromosomal DNA. A model for the formation of F's in unstable Hfrs is postulated in which a tra+ type II F' primary excision product is seen to be modified, through recA-independent processes, to other F' types and classes. This model differs from the current model of F' formation in that independent excision events from the Hfr chromosome are not seen as the source of type I and type II F's. These studies have also shown that the formation of delta tra F's is a recA-independent process that can occur from the F' and Hfr states, that gamma delta-mediated deletions in pWS200 often demonstrate regional specificity in having endpoints near the ilv operon and that genetic alterations in either replication origin of pWS200 (F oriV, chromosomal oriC) stabilize the replication of this "mini-Hfr" cointegrate.

Site-specific recombination following conjugation in Escherichia coli K-12

In accord with the observations of other workers, unselected marker analysis of Escherichia coli K-12 transconjugants isolated from matings involving several different Hfr strains as donors has shown that most genetic exchanges are clustered either near the selected marker or near the origin of the transferred Hfr DNA. The present work increases the number of Hfr strains tested and shows that the clustering of the recombinational events near the origin of transfer is statistically significant. It is proposed that this clustering of genetic exchanges is due to the action of a unique recombination system (site-specific conjugal recombination or ssr) which recognizes the early transferred portion of the F plasmid and catalyzes a genetic exchange in or near the adjacent bacterial DNA. Twelve Hfr strains representing eleven different points of origin were tested, and only KL16 and Ra-1 did not demonstrate the typical clustering of genetic exchanges. Since these strains share a common transfer origin, they may represent spontaneous mutations affecting the ssr system.

Location and nucleotide sequence of the transfer origin of the broad host range plasmid RK2

The origin of plasmid DNA transfer, oriT, has been localized on RK2, a conjugative drug-resistance plasmid of the IncP group with a very broad host range in gram-negative bacteria. The transfer origin is contained in a 760-base-pair Hae II restriction fragment that maps in the same region as the single-strand nick made by the RK2 relaxation complex. The functional oriT was subcloned as a 112-base-pair Hpa II fragment, and the DNA sequence of this region was determined. The dominant structural feature of the oriT sequence is a 19-base-pair inverted repeat, with 15 of the 19 bases able to form pairs in a hairpin structure. This inverted repeat may be the recognition site for the relaxation complex proteins, which nick the plasmid DNA molecule and initiate the transfer process.

Genetic analysis of the RecE pathway of genetic recombination in Escherichia coli K-12

The RecE pathway of genetic recombination in Escherichia coli K-12 was defined to be the pathway that is utilized in deoxyribonucleic acid exonuclease V (ExoV)-defective cells which express constitutively recE+, the structural gene for deoxyribonucleic acid exonuclease VIII. Dependence on ExoVIII was shown by the occurrence in a recB21 sbcA23 strain of recombination deficiency mutations in recE, the structural gene for ExoVIII. Point mutations in recE were found as well as deletion mutations in which the entire Rac prophage, carrying recE, was lost. In addition, strain construction and mutagenesis revealed the dependence of the RecE pathway on recA+ and on recF+. Dependence on a fourth gene was shown by a mutation (rec-77) which does not map near the other genes. The problem of distinguishing the RecE pathway from that previously called RecF is discussed.

Transposon-mediated conjugational transmission of nonconjugative plasmids

When coresident with conjugative plasmid pNC21, the nonconjugative deletion F-prime pJC59, which retains the F transfer origin oriT, was transmitted to transconjugants at a frequency comparable to that of pNC21. In addition, pJC59 was transmitted as an independent plasmid, physically separate from pNC21, an example of plasmid donation. In contrast, two plasmids that are derived from F and deleted for the oriT site, pJC61 and pML31, were transmitted at frequencies 10(4) lower than that of pNC21. This low-frequency transmission was associated with the appearance of a new plasmid in the transconjugants. In the case of pML31, we determined that this new plasmid was a recombinant composed of pNC21 and pML31, the latter flanked by two copies of transposable element Tn3. We believe that this recombinant plasmid was formed as an intermediate in the transposition of Tn3 from pNC21 to pML31 and was the vehicle for conjugational transmission of pML31 genes by a process known as plasmid conduction.

Fine-structure mapping and complementation analysis of nif (nitrogen fixation) genes in Klebsiella pneumoniae

Four hundred and eighty-nine independent Nif- strains containing 260 point, 130 millimicron-induced, and 99 deletion mutations in nif in the Klebsiella pneumoniae chromosome were isolated. Three hundred and ninety insertion and point mutations were mapped with millimicron-induced deletions carried on 44 plasmids derived from pTM4010, a recombinant R factor containing the his-nif region of K. pneumoniae. The 99 chromosomal deletions in the nif region were mapped with 69 derivatives of pTM4010 carrying insertion and point mutations in nif. Complementation analysis between 84 derivatives of pTM4010 carrying nif mutations and Rec- derivatives of the 390 Nif- mutants identified 14 genes. The nif mutations were ordered into 49 deletion groups with a gene order of his...nifQBALFMVSNEKDHJ. Complementation analysis of millimicron-induced, amber, frameshift, and deletion mutations indicates there are five polycistronic and two monocistronic operons: nifQ nifB, nifA nifL, nifF, nifM nifV nifS, nifN nifE, nifK nifD nifH, and nifJ. Transcription is from right to left in all polycistronic operons.

Plasmid cointegrates of Flac and lambda prophage

Fifteen cointegrates of the plasmid Flac and prophage lambda that had suffered no detectable change in plasmid phenotype were isolated and characterized. The locations of the prophage insertions were determined by genetic analysis of deletion mutants obtained from each cointegrate as survivors of growth at 42 degrees C. In 11 cointegrates, the prophage was inserted between traI and lac, although probably in more than one location; in 3 others, it was on one side or the other of lac; and in 1 it was between lac and pif. Deletions covering all or part of the transfer region, as well as of lac and of pif, were obtained in the course of this analysis. Deletion mutants that had lost all known transfer genes were also oriT, but they retained the capacity to recircularize after transfer. Attempts were made to isolate lambda transducing phages for nearby plasmid genes from the cointegrates, and lambdaptraGD, lambdaptraD, lambdaptraI, and lambdadtraDI phages were obtained.

Assignment of tra cistrons to EcoRI fragments of F sex factor DNA

We describe here the cloning of single EcoRI fragments from the tra region of F DNA using ColE1::Tn3 as vector. These plasmids, as well as the series of Skurray et al. (Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 73:64-68, 1976), have been used to refine the map positions of tra cistrons on the F factor as well as to define a new DNA transfer cistron, traM. The current map of the tra cistrons is presented. None of the known tra cistrons, with the exception of traG, straddles an EcoRI site. The EcoRI site at 82 kilobases splits the traG cistron into two portions, an operator-proximal portion necessary for F pilus synthesis and an operator distal portion involved in conjugation itself. The operon structure of the tra cistrons was reevaluated, and we found that traI is at least partially independent of transcription of the traA to traD operon.

F plasmid genes involved in the production of recombination-stimulating factor, control of sensitivity to some injurious agents, and chromosome replication in Escherichia coli K-12 HfrC

Three related F'arg+ plasmids isolated by Guyer and Clark were used to analyze some properties of strain MG751, a recipient derivative of an HfrC mutant (MG7) carrying a previously described pleiotropic mutation in the integrated F plasmid. Strains MG7 and MG751 both failed to produce recombination-stimulating factor, were sensitive to monofunctional alkylating agents and UV irradiation, and were temperature sensitive for growth and DNA synthesis. It was shown that these phenotypes are controlled by F plasmids genes (designated rsf, prt, and rep) that can be separated by deletion mutations occurring on the F plasmid.

Origin of replication, oriC, of the Escherichia coli chromosome: mapping of genes relative to R.EcoRI cleavage sites in the oriC region

A precise genetic-physical map of the tna-ilv region at 82 min on the genetic map of E. coli is obtained through deletion mapping and analysis by restriction endonuclease EcoRI of plasmids, derived from an F' carrying the genes between aroE and ilv. A locus, designated het, which in its diploid state results in slow growth and heterogeneity of cell size due to distorted cell division, maps between bglB and asn, 30-45 kb counterclockwise of ilv. The pattern of R.EcoRI cleavage sites in the het region is identical with the pattern obtained by Marsh and Worcel (1977) who analyzed DNA labeled preferentially in the region of the DNA replication origin (oriC). We suggest that oriC is identical with the het site and that it can be allocated to a position 32 kb counterclockwise of the ilv operon.

Heteroduplex analysis of tra delta f' plasmids and the mechanism of their formation

Four tra delta FargG+ plasmids, derived from matings between Hfr AB312 and a recA recipient, have been shown to have deletions of at least 50% of the F genome, including the region in which the tra genes map. The mutant plasmids do contain the F genes required for plasmid maintenance. Correlations can be made between, on the one hand, the F genes present on the tradelta F' plasmids and the F genes transferred early by an Hfr donor, and, on the other hand, the F genes deleted from the tradelta F' plasmids and the F genes transferred late by an Hfr donor. A biased representation of proximally and distally transferred chromosomal markers among the tradelta F' elements was also demonstrated. Taken Taken together, the asymmetrical representation of Hfr genes and the cis dominance of the Tra phenotype of these mutants can best be explained by the hypothesis that the tradelta F' plasmids are formed by repliconation of the transferred exogenote in a recA recipient.

Increase in conjugational transmission frequency of nonconjugative plasmids

Addition of Eco RI fragment 6 of the Escherichia coli sex factor F to pSC101 increases the frequency of its transmission by RI-19 and ColVB. Transmission frequencies of pSC101 and two pSC101 chimeras are also increased after the putative transposition of drug resistance element Tn3 from RI-19. These increases may result from addition of an origin of conjugatinal transfer to the plasmids.

Replication region fragments cloned from Flac+ are identical to EcoRI fragment f5 of F

The replication region fragments from Flac(+) cloned in plasmids pSC138 and pML31 are identical with each other and with EcoRI fragment 5 of plasmid F.

F' plasmids from HfrH and HfrC in recA- Escherichia coli

We have isolated and characterized a number of clones resulting from matings of HfrH and HfrC cultures of Escherichia coli with auxotrophic recA- E. coli. As in Low's (1968) experiments, the recA- marker prevented integration of F' episomes into the vegetative chromosomes of the host. Both F'H F'C plasmids contained a great variety of non-selected nutritional markers. However, more F'H plasmids seemed to have expressed F+ characteristics than did F'C plasmids. These characteristics include (i) the presence of F-pili as determined by susceptibility to male-specific phages; (ii) fertility as determined by the merozygote's ability to transfer nutritional markers to an auxotrophic F- strain of E. coli; and (iii) a high degree of inheritability as estimated by the proportion of F' bacteria to F- bacteria in clones grown in a non-selective medium like broth. This proportion is seen to be affected by both factors that determine the probabilities that daughters of F' bacteria inherit the episome and from physiological factors that determine the rates of growth of F' and F- bacteria.