Skip to main content
PMC home page
Applied and Environmental Microbiology logoLink to Applied and Environmental Microbiology
. 1981 Nov;42(5):904–911. doi: 10.1128/aem.42.5.904-911.1981

Conjugal Transfer of Lactose-Fermenting Ability Among Streptococcus cremoris and Streptococcus lactis Strains †

René J Snook 1, Larry L McKay 1
PMCID: PMC244125  PMID: 16345893

Abstract

Streptococcus cremoris C3 was found to transfer lactose-fermenting ability to LM2301, a Streptococcus lactis C2 lactose-negative streptomycin-resistant (Lac− Strr) derivative which is devoid of plasmid deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA); to LM3302, a Lac− erythromycin-resistant (Eryr) derivative of S. lactis ML3; and to BC102, an S. cremoris B1 Lac− Eryr derivative which is devoid of plasmid DNA. S. cremoris strains R1, EB7, and Z8 were able to transfer lactose-fermenting ability to LM3302 in solid-surface matings. Transduction and transformation were ruled out as mechanisms of genetic transfer. Chloroform treatment of donor cells prevented the appearance of recombinant clones, indicating that viable cell-to-cell contact was responsible for genetic transfer. Transfer of plasmid DNA was confirmed by agarose gel electrophoresis. Transconjugants recovered from EB7 and Z8 matings with LM3302 exhibited plasmid sizes not observed in the donor strains. Transconjugants recovered from R1, EB7, and Z8 matings with LM3302 were able to donate lactose-fermenting ability at a high frequency to LM2301. In S. cremoris R1, EB7, and Z8 matings with LM2301, streptomycin resistance was transferred from LM2301 to the S. cremoris strains. The results confirm genetic transfer resembling conjugation between S. cremoris and S. lactis strains and present presumptive evidence for plasmid linkage of lactose metabolism in S. cremoris.

Full text

PDF
908

Images in this article

908Image
on p.908
908Image
on p.908
909Image
on p.909

Selected References

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

  1. Anderson D. G., McKay L. L. Plasmids, loss of lactose metabolism, and appearance of partial and full lactose-fermenting revertants in Streptococcus cremoris B1. J Bacteriol. 1977 Jan;129(1):367–377. doi: 10.1128/jb.129.1.367-377.1977. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  2. Brefort G., Magot M., Ionesco H., Sebald M. Characterization and transferability of Clostridium perfringens plasmids. Plasmid. 1977 Nov;1(1):52–66. doi: 10.1016/0147-619x(77)90008-7. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  3. Clark A. J., Warren G. J. Conjugal transmission of plasmids. Annu Rev Genet. 1979;13:99–125. doi: 10.1146/annurev.ge.13.120179.000531. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  4. Dunny G. M., Brown B. L., Clewell D. B. Induced cell aggregation and mating in Streptococcus faecalis: evidence for a bacterial sex pheromone. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1978 Jul;75(7):3479–3483. doi: 10.1073/pnas.75.7.3479. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  5. Dunny G. M., Clewell D. B. Transmissible toxin (hemolysin) plasmid in Streptococcus faecalis and its mobilization of a noninfectious drug resistance plasmid. J Bacteriol. 1975 Nov;124(2):784–790. doi: 10.1128/jb.124.2.784-790.1975. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  6. Efstathiou J. D., McKay L. L. Plasmids in Streptococcus lactis: evidence that lactose metabolism and proteinase activity are plasmid linked. Appl Environ Microbiol. 1976 Jul;32(1):38–44. doi: 10.1128/aem.32.1.38-44.1976. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  7. 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]
  8. Gibson E. M., Chace N. M., London S. B., London J. Transfer of plasmid-mediated antibiotic resistance from streptococci to lactobacilli. J Bacteriol. 1979 Jan;137(1):614–619. doi: 10.1128/jb.137.1.614-619.1979. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  9. Hansen J. B., Olsen R. H. Isolation of large bacterial plasmids and characterization of the P2 incompatibility group plasmids pMG1 and pMG5. J Bacteriol. 1978 Jul;135(1):227–238. doi: 10.1128/jb.135.1.227-238.1978. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  10. Kempler G. M., McKay L. L. Characterization of Plasmid Deoxyribonucleic Acid in Streptococcus lactis subsp. diacetylactis: Evidence for Plasmid-Linked Citrate Utilization. Appl Environ Microbiol. 1979 Feb;37(2):316–323. doi: 10.1128/aem.37.2.316-323.1979. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  11. 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]
  12. Klaenhammer T. R., McKay L. L., Baldwin K. A. Improved lysis of group N streptococci for isolation and rapid characterization of plasmid deoxyribonucleic acid. Appl Environ Microbiol. 1978 Mar;35(3):592–600. doi: 10.1128/aem.35.3.592-600.1978. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  13. Kuhl S. A., Larsen L. D., McKay L. L. Plasmid Profiles of Lactose-Negative and Proteinase-Deficient Mutants of Streptococcus lactis C10, ML(3), and M18. Appl Environ Microbiol. 1979 Jun;37(6):1193–1195. doi: 10.1128/aem.37.6.1193-1195.1979. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  14. Larsen L. D., McKay L. L. Isolation and characterization of plasmid DNA in Streptococcus cremoris. Appl Environ Microbiol. 1978 Dec;36(6):944–952. doi: 10.1128/aem.36.6.944-952.1978. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  15. LeBlanc D. J., Hawley R. J., Lee L. N., St Martin E. J. "Conjugal" transfer of plasmid DNA among oral streptococci. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1978 Jul;75(7):3484–3487. doi: 10.1073/pnas.75.7.3484. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  16. Macrina F. L., Balbinder E. Genetic Characterization of a Stable F' lac Plasmid. J Bacteriol. 1972 Oct;112(1):503–512. doi: 10.1128/jb.112.1.503-512.1972. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  17. McKay L. L., Baldwin K. A. Stabilization of Lactose Metabolism in Streptococcus lactis C2. Appl Environ Microbiol. 1978 Aug;36(2):360–367. doi: 10.1128/aem.36.2.360-367.1978. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  18. 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]
  19. 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]
  20. Niven C. F., Smiley K. L., Sherman J. M. The Hydrolysis of Arginine by Streptococci. J Bacteriol. 1942 Jun;43(6):651–660. doi: 10.1128/jb.43.6.651-660.1942. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  21. Novick R. P. Extrachromosomal inheritance in bacteria. Bacteriol Rev. 1969 Jun;33(2):210–263. doi: 10.1128/br.33.2.210-263.1969. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  22. Snook R. J., McKay L. L., Ahlstrand G. G. Transduction of Lactose Metabolism by Streptococcus cremoris C3 Temperate Phage. Appl Environ Microbiol. 1981 Nov;42(5):897–903. doi: 10.1128/aem.42.5.897-903.1981. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  23. 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]
  24. Tomich P. K., An F. Y., Clewell D. B. Properties of erythromycin-inducible transposon Tn917 in Streptococcus faecalis. J Bacteriol. 1980 Mar;141(3):1366–1374. doi: 10.1128/jb.141.3.1366-1374.1980. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  25. Tomich P. K., An F. Y., Damle S. P., Clewell D. B. Plasmid-related transmissibility and multiple drug resistance in Streptococcus faecalis subsp. zymogenes strain DS16. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 1979 Jun;15(6):828–830. doi: 10.1128/aac.15.6.828. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  26. 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]
  27. van Embden J. D., Engel H. W., van Klingeren B. Drug resistance in group D streptococci of clinical and nonclinical origin: prevalence, transferability, and plasmid properties. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 1977 Jun;11(6):925–932. doi: 10.1128/aac.11.6.925. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

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

RESOURCES