Mobility of the native Bacillus subtilis conjugative plasmid pLS20 is regulated by intercellular signaling.

ABSTRACT: Horizontal gene transfer mediated by plasmid conjugation plays a significant role in the evolution of bacterial species, as well as in the dissemination of antibiotic resistance and pathogenicity determinants. Characterization of their regulation is important for gaining insights into these features. Relatively little is known about how conjugation of Gram-positive plasmids is regulated. We have characterized conjugation of the native Bacillus subtilis plasmid pLS20. Contrary to the enterococcal plasmids, conjugation of pLS20 is not activated by recipient-produced pheromones but by pLS20-encoded proteins that regulate expression of the conjugation genes. We show that conjugation is kept in the default "OFF" state and identified the master repressor responsible for this. Activation of the c

SUBMITTER: Singh PK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3814332 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature