Participation of the recA determinant in the transposition of class II transposon mini-TnMERI1
Corresponding Author
Kazuaki Matsui
Laboratory of Environmental Biotechnology, Faculty of Engineering, Tohoku Gakuin University, 1-13-1 Chuo, Tagajo, Miyagi 985-8537, Japan
*Corresponding authors. Tel.: +81 022 368 7493; fax: +81 022 368 7070., E-mail address: [email protected]Search for more papers by this authorMasaru Narita
Laboratory of Environmental Biotechnology, Faculty of Engineering, Tohoku Gakuin University, 1-13-1 Chuo, Tagajo, Miyagi 985-8537, Japan
Tohoku Afforestation and Environmental Protection Co. Ltd., Sendai, Miyagi 980-0014, Japan
Search for more papers by this authorHidenori Ishii
Laboratory of Environmental Biotechnology, Faculty of Engineering, Tohoku Gakuin University, 1-13-1 Chuo, Tagajo, Miyagi 985-8537, Japan
Search for more papers by this authorCorresponding Author
Ginro Endo
Laboratory of Environmental Biotechnology, Faculty of Engineering, Tohoku Gakuin University, 1-13-1 Chuo, Tagajo, Miyagi 985-8537, Japan
*Corresponding authors. Tel.: +81 022 368 7493; fax: +81 022 368 7070., E-mail address: [email protected]Search for more papers by this authorCorresponding Author
Kazuaki Matsui
Laboratory of Environmental Biotechnology, Faculty of Engineering, Tohoku Gakuin University, 1-13-1 Chuo, Tagajo, Miyagi 985-8537, Japan
*Corresponding authors. Tel.: +81 022 368 7493; fax: +81 022 368 7070., E-mail address: [email protected]Search for more papers by this authorMasaru Narita
Laboratory of Environmental Biotechnology, Faculty of Engineering, Tohoku Gakuin University, 1-13-1 Chuo, Tagajo, Miyagi 985-8537, Japan
Tohoku Afforestation and Environmental Protection Co. Ltd., Sendai, Miyagi 980-0014, Japan
Search for more papers by this authorHidenori Ishii
Laboratory of Environmental Biotechnology, Faculty of Engineering, Tohoku Gakuin University, 1-13-1 Chuo, Tagajo, Miyagi 985-8537, Japan
Search for more papers by this authorCorresponding Author
Ginro Endo
Laboratory of Environmental Biotechnology, Faculty of Engineering, Tohoku Gakuin University, 1-13-1 Chuo, Tagajo, Miyagi 985-8537, Japan
*Corresponding authors. Tel.: +81 022 368 7493; fax: +81 022 368 7070., E-mail address: [email protected]Search for more papers by this authorEdited by W. Schumann
Abstract
As an initial step to understand the mobile nature of class II mercury resistance transposon TnMERI1, the effect of the recA gene on translocation of mini-TnMERI1 was evaluated. A higher transposition frequency in the LE392 strain (2.4 ± 1.2 × 10−5) than in the recA-deficient DH1 strain (1.2 ± 0.8 × 10−6) indicated participation of the recA gene in mini-TnMERI1 transposition. Introduction of the recA gene into the DH1 strain complemented the transposition frequency at the same level as in LE392 and confirmed participation of the recA gene in transposition. However, treatment of cells by stress agents, including irradiation of up to 3000 J m−2 UV doses, did not alter the transposition frequency and suggested independence of RecA from the SOS stress response. Further analysis of transconjugants indicated participation of RecA in the resolution of the cointegrate structure of the transposon. These results suggested that RecA is a constitutive cellular factor that increases translocation of mini-TnMERI1 and may participate in dissemination of TnMERI1-like transposons.
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