Identification of a novel conjugative plasmid in mycobacteria that requires both type IV and type VII secretion.

ABSTRACT:

Unlabelled

Conjugative plasmids have been identified in a wide variety of different bacteria, ranging from proteobacteria to firmicutes, and conjugation is one of the most efficient routes for horizontal gene transfer. The most widespread mechanism of plasmid conjugation relies on different variants of the type IV secretion pathway. Here, we describe the identification of a novel type of conjugative plasmid that seems to be unique for mycobacteria. Interestingly, while this plasmid is efficiently exchanged between different species of slow-growing mycobacteria, including Mycobacterium tuberculosis, it could not be transferred to any of the fast-growing mycobacteria tested. Genetic analysis of the conjugative plasmid showed the presence of a locus containing homologues of three type

SUBMITTER: Ummels R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4173767 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature