Physical demonstration of a high molecular weight bacteriocin plasmid in Vibrio cholerae by genetic transformation process.

ABSTRACT

Bacteriocinogeny was transferred at high frequencies from bacteriocinogenic (Bac+) V. cholerae strains to non-bacteriocinogenic (Bac-) recipients in the in situ genetic transformation system on agar surface. DNA extracted from samples of growth of bacteria transformed to Bac+ were obtained at 2 h intervals following contact with the sterile agar surface where the donor had grown previously. This showed acquisition of a high molecular weight plasmid which could be physically demonstrated best in the 6 h sample of the Bac+ transformants; their 4 h samples failed to show this specific plasmid, while it was demonstrable only as a faint band in the 8 h samples.