Skip to main content
NCBI home page
Applied and Environmental Microbiology logoLink to Applied and Environmental Microbiology
. 1987 Apr;53(4):898–900. doi: 10.1128/aem.53.4.898-900.1987

Conjugal transfer of plasmid DNA between streptococci immobilized in calcium alginate gel beads.

L R Steenson, T R Klaenhammer
PMCID: PMC203777  PMID: 3579288

Abstract

A rapid and simple technique was developed for conjugation between group N and group D streptococci by using cells entrapped within calcium alginate gel beads. With this method, the frequencies of transfer of lactose metabolism from Streptococcus lactis ME2 to S. lactis LM2302 were comparable to those achieved with agar surface matings. Conjugal transfer of the chloramphenicol and erythromycin resistance plasmid pVA797::Tn917 from S. faecalis V1229 to S. faecalis V1102 in alginate beads occurred at frequencies comparable to those achieved with filter matings. The results demonstrated efficient conjugal transfer of plasmid DNA among alginate-immobilized streptococcal cells and suggested that this method could be used as an alternative to conventional solid-surface and filter matings with these organisms.

Full text

PDF
898

Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

  1. Chopin A., Chopin M. C., Moillo-Batt A., Langella P. Two plasmid-determined restriction and modification systems in Streptococcus lactis. Plasmid. 1984 May;11(3):260–263. doi: 10.1016/0147-619x(84)90033-7. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  2. Evans R. P., Jr, Macrina F. L. Streptococcal R plasmid pIP501: endonuclease site map, resistance determinant location, and construction of novel derivatives. J Bacteriol. 1983 Jun;154(3):1347–1355. doi: 10.1128/jb.154.3.1347-1355.1983. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  3. Gasson M. J., Davies F. L. High-frequency conjugation associated with Streptococcus lactis donor cell aggregation. J Bacteriol. 1980 Sep;143(3):1260–1264. doi: 10.1128/jb.143.3.1260-1264.1980. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  4. Kempler G. M., McKay L. L. Genetic Evidence for Plasmid-Linked Lactose Metabolism in Streptococcus lactis subsp. diacetylactis. Appl Environ Microbiol. 1979 May;37(5):1041–1043. doi: 10.1128/aem.37.5.1041-1043.1979. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  5. Klaenhammer T. R., Sanozky R. B. Conjugal transfer from Streptococcus lactis ME2 of plasmids encoding phage resistance, nisin resistance and lactose-fermenting ability: evidence for a high-frequency conjugative plasmid responsible for abortive infection of virulent bacteriophage. J Gen Microbiol. 1985 Jun;131(6):1531–1541. doi: 10.1099/00221287-131-6-1531. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  6. McKay L. L., Baldwin K. A. Conjugative 40-megadalton plasmid in Streptococcus lactis subsp. diacetylactis DRC3 is associated with resistance to nisin and bacteriophage. Appl Environ Microbiol. 1984 Jan;47(1):68–74. doi: 10.1128/aem.47.1.68-74.1984. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  7. McKay L. L., Baldwin K. A., Walsh P. M. Conjugal transfer of genetic information in group N streptococci. Appl Environ Microbiol. 1980 Jul;40(1):84–89. doi: 10.1128/aem.40.1.84-91.1980. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  8. McKay L. L., Baldwin K. A., Zottola E. A. Loss of lactose metabolism in lactic streptococci. Appl Microbiol. 1972 Jun;23(6):1090–1096. doi: 10.1128/am.23.6.1090-1096.1972. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  9. Neve H., Geis A., Teuber M. Conjugal transfer and characterization of bacteriocin plasmids in group N (lactic acid) streptococci. J Bacteriol. 1984 Mar;157(3):833–838. doi: 10.1128/jb.157.3.833-838.1984. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  10. Scherwitz K. M., Baldwin K. A., McKay L. L. Plasmid linkage of a bacteriocin-like substance in Streptococcus lactis subsp. diacetylactis strain WM4: transferability to Streptococcus lactis. Appl Environ Microbiol. 1983 May;45(5):1506–1512. doi: 10.1128/aem.45.5.1506-1512.1983. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  11. Sing W. D., Klaenhammer T. R. Conjugal Transfer of Bacteriophage Resistance Determinants on pTR2030 into Streptococcus cremoris Strains. Appl Environ Microbiol. 1986 Jun;51(6):1264–1271. doi: 10.1128/aem.51.6.1264-1271.1986. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  12. Snook R. J., McKay L. L. Conjugal Transfer of Lactose-Fermenting Ability Among Streptococcus cremoris and Streptococcus lactis Strains. Appl Environ Microbiol. 1981 Nov;42(5):904–911. doi: 10.1128/aem.42.5.904-911.1981. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  13. Steele J. L., McKay L. L. Partial characterization of the genetic basis for sucrose metabolism and nisin production in Streptococcus lactis. Appl Environ Microbiol. 1986 Jan;51(1):57–64. doi: 10.1128/aem.51.1.57-64.1986. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  14. Steenson L. R., Klaenhammer T. R. Streptococcus cremoris M12R transconjugants carrying the conjugal plasmid pTR2030 are insensitive to attack by lytic bacteriophages. Appl Environ Microbiol. 1985 Oct;50(4):851–858. doi: 10.1128/aem.50.4.851-858.1985. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  15. Terzaghi B. E., Sandine W. E. Improved medium for lactic streptococci and their bacteriophages. Appl Microbiol. 1975 Jun;29(6):807–813. doi: 10.1128/am.29.6.807-813.1975. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  16. Walsh P. M., McKay L. L. Recombinant plasmid associated cell aggregation and high-frequency conjugation of Streptococcus lactis ML3. J Bacteriol. 1981 Jun;146(3):937–944. doi: 10.1128/jb.146.3.937-944.1981. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

Articles from Applied and Environmental Microbiology are provided here courtesy of American Society for Microbiology (ASM)

RESOURCES