Abstract
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.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Journal | Journal of Bacteriology |
| Volume | 176 |
| Issue number | 14 |
| Pages (from-to) | 4306-10 |
| Number of pages | 4 |
| ISSN | 0021-9193 |
| Publication status | Published - 1994 |
| Externally published | Yes |