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. 1986 Mar;165(3):878–883. doi: 10.1128/jb.165.3.878-883.1986

Plasmid instability in regenerating protoplasts of Staphylococcus aureus is caused by aberrant cell division.

A Gruss, R Novick
PMCID: PMC214510  PMID: 3949716

Abstract

Elimination of plasmids from regenerating S. aureus protoplasts occurred when the regeneration medium contained sucrose but not when it contained sodium succinate. This difference was caused by the occurrence of cell division prior to regeneration of the cell wall on sucrose but not on succinate. Coexisting compatible plasmids were cured independently; coexisting incompatible plasmids were cured jointly. These results support the hypothesis that plasmid pools exist as physically sequestered units in protoplasts and that curing is a consequence of the segregation of such units during abnormal division of wall-less organisms.

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Selected References

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