TY - JOUR
T1 - Persistence Mechanisms of Conjugative Plasmids
AU - Bahl, Martin Iain
AU - Hansen, Lars Hestbjerg
AU - Sørensen, Søren J.
AU - Gogarten, Johann Peter
AU - Olendzenski, Lorraine
PY - 2009
Y1 - 2009
N2 - Are plasmids selfish parasitic DNA molecules or an integrated part of the bacterial genome? This chapter reviews the current understanding of the persistence mechanisms of conjugative plasmids harbored by bacterial cells and populations. The diversity and intricacy of mechanisms affecting the successful propagation and long-term continued existence of these extra-chromosomal elements is extensive. Apart from the accessory genetic elements that may provide plasmid-harboring cells a selective advantage, special focus is placed on the mechanisms conjugative plasmids employ to ensure their stable maintenance in the host cell. These importantly include the ability to self-mobilize in a process termed conjugative transfer, which may occur across species barriers. Other plasmid stabilizing mechanisms include the multimer resolution system, active partitioning, and post-segregational-killing of plasmid-free cells. Finally, various molecular adaptations of plasmids to better match the genetic background of their bacterial host cell will be described.
AB - Are plasmids selfish parasitic DNA molecules or an integrated part of the bacterial genome? This chapter reviews the current understanding of the persistence mechanisms of conjugative plasmids harbored by bacterial cells and populations. The diversity and intricacy of mechanisms affecting the successful propagation and long-term continued existence of these extra-chromosomal elements is extensive. Apart from the accessory genetic elements that may provide plasmid-harboring cells a selective advantage, special focus is placed on the mechanisms conjugative plasmids employ to ensure their stable maintenance in the host cell. These importantly include the ability to self-mobilize in a process termed conjugative transfer, which may occur across species barriers. Other plasmid stabilizing mechanisms include the multimer resolution system, active partitioning, and post-segregational-killing of plasmid-free cells. Finally, various molecular adaptations of plasmids to better match the genetic background of their bacterial host cell will be described.
U2 - 10.1007/978-1-60327-853-9_5
DO - 10.1007/978-1-60327-853-9_5
M3 - Journal article
SN - 1064-3745
VL - 532
SP - 73
EP - 102
JO - Methods in Molecular Biology
JF - Methods in Molecular Biology
ER -