Integrated conjugative plasmid drives high frequency chromosomal gene transfer in Sulfolobus islandicus.

ABSTRACT: Gene transfer in crenarchaea has been observed within natural and experimental populations of Sulfolobus. However, the molecular factors that govern how gene transfer and recombination manifest themselves in these populations is still unknown. In this study, we examine a plasmid-mediated mechanism of gene transfer in S. islandicus that results in localized high frequency recombination within the chromosome. Through chromosomal marker exchange assays with defined donors and recipients, we find that while bidirectional exchange occurs among all cells, those possessing the integrated conjugative plasmid, pM164, mobilize a nearby locus at a significantly higher frequency when compared to a more distal marker. We establish that traG is essential for this phenotype and that

SUBMITTER: Sanchez-Nieves RL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9899855 | biostudies-literature | 2023

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature