Plasmid expression and maintenance during long-term starvation-survival of bacteria in well water.

Abstract

Strains of enteric bacteria and pseudomonads containing plasmid R388::Tnl721 (Tpr, Tcr) or pRO101 (Hgr, Tcr) were starved for over 250 days in sterile well water to evaluate effects of starvation-survival on plasmid expression and maintenance. Viable populations dropped to between approximately 0.1 and 1% of the initial populations. Escherichia coli(pRO101) and Pseudomonas cepacia(pRO101) lost both viability and plasmid expression at a lower rate than strains containing R388::Tnl721. Three patterns of host-plasmid interaction were detected: (i) no apparent loss of plasmid expression, (ii) loss of plasmid expression on initial recovery with subsequent expression upon resuscitation, and (iii) loss of capability to produce functional plasmid resistance.

• Authors: B A Caldwell, C Ye, R P Griffiths, C L Moyer, R Y Morita
• Journal: Applied and environmental microbiology (Appl Environ Microbiol) Vol. 55 Issue 8 Pg. 1860-4 (Aug 1989) ISSN: 0099-2240 [Print] United States
• PMID: 2782868 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.)

Chemical References

• Culture Media

Topics

• Culture Media
• Enterobacteriaceae (genetics, growth & development)
• Fresh Water
• Plasmids
• Pseudomonas (genetics, growth & development)
• Water Microbiology
• Water Supply