A statistical analysis of the formation of plasmid-free cells in populations of Escherichia coli.

TY - JOUR

T1 - A statistical analysis of the formation of plasmid-free cells in populations of Escherichia coli.

AU - Tolker-Nielsen, Tim

AU - Boe, Lars

N1 - Keywords: Colony Count, Microbial; Culture Media; Escherichia coli; Models, Biological; Models, Statistical; Plasmids

PY - 1994

Y1 - 1994

N2 - By methods analogous to those used in the classical statistical analysis of bacterial mutation, we have analyzed the formation of plasmid-free cells in populations of Escherichia coli harboring pBR322-derived plasmids. Application of fluctuation tests and papilla analysis suggested that there is a high variance in the probability that a plasmid-containing cell will produce a plasmid-free daughter cell. Apparently a subpopulation of plasmid-containing cells gives rise to progeny that produces plasmid-free cells with a high and unpredictable rate. This finding raises the question of whether plasmid maintenance can be adequately described by the conventional mathematical models.

AB - By methods analogous to those used in the classical statistical analysis of bacterial mutation, we have analyzed the formation of plasmid-free cells in populations of Escherichia coli harboring pBR322-derived plasmids. Application of fluctuation tests and papilla analysis suggested that there is a high variance in the probability that a plasmid-containing cell will produce a plasmid-free daughter cell. Apparently a subpopulation of plasmid-containing cells gives rise to progeny that produces plasmid-free cells with a high and unpredictable rate. This finding raises the question of whether plasmid maintenance can be adequately described by the conventional mathematical models.

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 8021216

SN - 0021-9193

VL - 176

SP - 4306

EP - 4310

JO - Journal of Bacteriology

JF - Journal of Bacteriology

IS - 14

ER -