Persistence Mechanisms of Conjugative Plasmids

TY - CHAP

T1 - Persistence Mechanisms of Conjugative Plasmids

AU - Bahl, Martin Iain

AU - Hansen, Lars H.

AU - Sørensen, Søren Johannes

N1 - Keywords Accessory elements - plasmid stability - host range - horizontal gene transfer

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 - Book chapter

C2 - 19271180

SN - 978-1-60327-852-2

VL - 532

T3 - Methods in Molecular Biology

SP - 73

EP - 102

BT - Horizontal Gene Transfer

A2 - Gogarten, Maria Boekels

A2 - Gogarten, Johann Peter

A2 - Olendzenski, Lorraine C.

PB - Humana Press

ER -