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PubMed1978

Effect of cycloheximide on maturation of replicative intermediates into high-molecular-weight DNA in Tetrahymena.

Replicative intermediates of discrete size (approximately 41 S) are observed in the eukaryotic organism Tetrahymena pyriformis, when the organism is grown under defined physiological conditions. The intermediates (believed to represent replicons) are synthesized and accumulated over longer periods of time (less than 90 min), if the cells are treated with low concentrations of cycloheximide. Under these conditions the rate of total DNA synthesis is only slightly inhibited (less than 15%), while maturation of intermediate DNA into high-molecular-weight DNA is completely blocked (greater than 98%). Cycloheximide appears to inhibit the maturation process more specifically than other protein synthesis inhibitors. Studies of the accumulated intermediates on alkaline buoyant density gradients demonstrate that initiation of new putative replicons occurs during treatment with cycloheximide.

Animals↗
PubMed1981

Replication of ribosomal DNA in Xenopus laevis.

The study of the localization of the replication origins of rDNA in Xenopus laevis has been approached by two different methods. 1. The DNA of X. laevis larvae was fractionated by CsCl gradient centrifugation in bulk and ribosomal DNA and examined in the electron microscope. In bulk DNA, clusters of microbubbles, which are related with the origins of replication, appear to be spaced along the DNA molecules at intervals comparable with the size of the 'average' replicon of X. laevis. In ribosomal DNA, the distance between adjacent clusters is much shorter and corresponds to the size of the rDNA repeating unit. When ribosomal DNA was submitted to digestion with restriction enzymes (Eco RI and HindIII) the microbubbles are observed in the non-transcribed spacer-containing fragment. 2. Cultured cells of X. laevis were synchronized by mitotic selection and incubated with 5-fluoro-2-deoxyuridine for a time longer than the G1 phase. This treatment synchronizes the replicons and allows them to start replicating very slowly. It was thus possible to obtain a preferential labelling of the regions containing the origins. The analysis by gel electrophoresis of the Eco Ri-digested rDNA showed that the radioactivity was preferentially incorporated in the fragments which contain the non-transcribed spacer. The results of these two approaches indicate that the rRNA gene cluster consists of multiple units of replication, possibly one per gene unit. Furthermore they show that the origins of replication are localized into the non-transcribed spacer.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Construction of a new high-copy number shuttle vector of Bacillus thuringiensis.

AIMS: Construction and characterization of a new cloning shuttle vector for gene transfer and expression in Bacillus thuringiensis. METHODS AND RESULTS: A novel short and high-copy number shuttle vector called pHBLBIV, was constructed for gene transfer and expression in Bacillus thuringiensis. A 1.6-kbp replicon of a relatively high-copy number endogenous plasmid of a selected B. thuringiensis strain was ligated to Escherichia coli pUC18 replicon containing the ampicillin and the erythromycin resistance genes used for the selection of respectively E. coli and B. thuringiensis transformants. The constructed vector was shown to have a high copy number compared with the conventional B. thuringiensis vectors, and used successfully for the transfer of vegetative insecticidal protein-encoding gene (vip) in between B. thuringiensis strains. CONCLUSIONS: A new shuttle vector of B. thuringiensis-E. coli named pHBLBIV was constructed. It was characterized by its high copy number, small size and segregational stability. This vector was successfully used for vip gene cloning and transfer in B. thuringiensis. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: A novel shuttle vector has been constructed, which has demonstrated potential for the cloning and expression of genes in B. thuringiensis.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Cloning of the replication region on the bacteriocinogenic plasmid pRJ9 of Staphylococcus aureus.

A 5.8-kb ClaI fragment of pRJ9, a bacteriocinogenic plasmid of Staphylococcus aureus, was cloned in the unique ClaI site of pRJ5. The recombinant plasmid obtained, pRJ23, failed to confer bacteriocin production and immunity to bacteriocin on host cells. The cloned fragment was shown to contain the complete replicon of pRJ9. Attempts to clone the 4.4-kb ClaI fragment of pRJ9 were unsuccessful, apparently due to the inactivation of the basic replicon of the cloning vector. Therefore, plasmid pRJ5 cut at its ClaI site appears to be a suitable vector for cloning replication regions of plasmids that can replicate in S. aureus.

Bacteriocins↗
PubMed2002

Establishment of uncharacterized plasmids in Escherichia coli by in vitro transposition.

We present a simple approach that permits any circular plasmid, such as uncharacterized plasmids from diverse prokaryotes, to be established in Escherichia coli, thereby facilitating subsequent structural and functional studies. An in vitro transposition reaction is used to introduce a well-characterized replicon and selectable marker into purified plasmids, which are then used to transform E. coli. The approach was demonstrated using a small 3.4-kb archaeal plasmid and a large 60-kb uncharacterized plasmid from a Gram-negative bacterium. Replicon function in E. coli was tested for each plasmid, and direct sequencing of the large plasmid revealed similarity to restriction-modification systems.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed2006

General catalytic deficiency of hepatitis C virus RNA polymerase with an S282T mutation and mutually exclusive resistance towards 2'-modified nucleotide analogues.

The hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA-dependent RNA polymerase NS5B is an important target for antiviral therapies. NS5B is able to initiate viral RNA synthesis de novo and then switch to a fast and processive RNA elongation synthesis mode. The nucleotide analogue 2'-C-methyl CTP (2'-C-Me-CTP) is the active metabolite of NM283, a drug currently in clinical phase II trials. The resistance mutation S282T can be selected in HCV replicon studies. Likewise, 2'-O-Me nucleotides are active both against the purified polymerase and in replicon studies. We have determined the molecular mechanism by which the S282T mutation confers resistance to 2'-modified nucleotide analogues. 2'-C-Me-CTP is no longer incorporated during the initiation step of RNA synthesis and is discriminated 21-fold during RNA elongation by the NS5B S282T mutant. Strikingly, 2'-O-methyl CTP sensitivity does not change during initiation, but the analogue is no longer incorporated during elongation. This mutually exclusive resistance mechanism suggests not only that "2'-conformer" analogues target distinct steps in RNA synthesis but also that these analogues have interesting potential in combination therapies. In addition, the presence of the S282T mutation induces a general cost in terms of polymerase efficiency that may translate to decreased viral fitness: natural nucleotides become 5- to 20-fold less efficiently incorporated into RNA by the NS5B S282T mutant. As in the case for human immunodeficiency virus, our results might provide a mechanistic basis for the rational combination of drugs for low-fitness viruses.

Binding Sites↗
PubMed1989

Mobility of gentamicin resistance genes from staphylococci isolated in the United States: identification of Tn4031, a gentamicin resistance transposon from Staphylococcus epidermidis.

Homologous genes encoding resistance to gentamicin, tobramycin, and kanamycin through the bifunctional acetylating [AAC(6')] and phosphorylating [APH(2")] aminoglycoside-modifying enzyme were identified in staphylococci isolated from patients in the United States. The mobility of gentamicin resistance (Gmr) genes found on a prototype conjugative plasmid (pGO1) was compared with that of genes cloned from chromosomal sites. Plasmid-encoded Gmr genes and flanking sequences were introduced onto a temperature-sensitive plasmid (pRN3208) from pGO1 by homologous recombination between insertion sequence-like elements present on both replicons. Growth of Staphylococcus aureus strains containing the temperature-sensitive recombinant (pGO161) at the nonpermissive temperature for plasmid replication (42 degrees C) revealed no translocation of Gmr from its plasmid location. A transposon (Tn551) resident on the same replicon did translocate. Chromosomal Gmr determinants were cloned, together with the gene for trimethoprim resistance (dfrA), from three geographically distinct S. epidermidis isolates; two were subcloned onto temperature-sensitive Escherichia coli-S. aureus shuttle plasmids as 7.2-kilobase BglII fragments. Growth of both recombination-deficient and-proficient S. aureus strains containing the cloned genes at 42 degrees C allowed detection of transposition of Gmr sequences and identification of insertion into random chromosomal sites. We have designated this 5-kilobase transposon from S. epidermidis as Tn4031.

Cloning, Molecular↗
PubMed2004

A 7-deaza-adenosine analog is a potent and selective inhibitor of hepatitis C virus replication with excellent pharmacokinetic properties.

Improved treatments for chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection are needed due to the suboptimal response rates and deleterious side effects associated with current treatment options. The triphosphates of 2'-C-methyl-adenosine and 2'-C-methyl-guanosine were previously shown to be potent inhibitors of the HCV RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) that is responsible for the replication of viral RNA in cells. Here we demonstrate that the inclusion of a 7-deaza modification in a series of purine nucleoside triphosphates results in an increase in inhibitory potency against the HCV RdRp and improved pharmacokinetic properties. Notably, incorporation of the 7-deaza modification into 2'-C-methyl-adenosine results in an inhibitor with a 20-fold-increased potency as the 5'-triphosphate in HCV RdRp assays while maintaining the inhibitory potency of the nucleoside in the bicistronic HCV replicon and with reduced cellular toxicity. In contrast, while 7-deaza-2'-C-methyl-GTP also displays enhanced inhibitory potency in enzyme assays, due to poor cellular penetration and/or metabolism, the nucleoside does not inhibit replication of a bicistronic HCV replicon in cell culture. 7-Deaza-2'-C-methyl-adenosine displays promising in vivo pharmacokinetics in three animal species, as well as an acute oral lethal dose in excess of 2,000 mg/kg of body weight in mice. Taken together, these data demonstrate that 7-deaza-2'-C-methyl-adenosine is an attractive candidate for further investigation as a potential treatment for HCV infection.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Metabolism of the anti-hepatitis C virus nucleoside beta-D-N4-hydroxycytidine in different liver cells.

Beta-D-N4-hydroxycytidine (NHC) was found to have selective anti-hepatitis C virus (HCV) activity in the HCV replicon system (clone A). The intracellular metabolism of tritiated NHC was investigated in the HCV replicon system, Huh-7 cells, HepG2 cells, and primary human hepatocytes. Incubation of cells with 10 microM radiolabeled NHC demonstrated extensive and rapid phosphorylation in all liver cells. Besides the 5'-mono, -di-, and -triphosphate metabolites of NHC, other metabolites were characterized. These included cytidine and uridine mono-, di-, and triphosphates. UTP was the predominant early metabolite in Huh-7 cells and primary human hepatocytes, suggesting deamination of NHC as the primary catabolic pathway. The intracellular half-lives of radiolabeled NHC-triphosphate and of CTP and UTP derived from NHC incubation in Huh-7 cells were calculated to be 3.0 +/- 1.3, 10.4 +/- 3.3, and 13.2 +/- 3.5 h (means +/- standard deviations), respectively. Studies using monkey and human whole blood demonstrated more-rapid deamination and oxidation in monkey cells than in human cells, suggesting that NHC may not persist long enough in plasma to be delivered to liver cells.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗
PubMed2005

Inhibition of hepatitis C virus replication by antimonial compounds.

Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a worldwide health problem causing serious complications, such as liver cirrhosis and hepatoma. Alpha interferon (IFN-alpha) or its polyethylene glycol-modified form combined with ribavirin is the only recommended therapy. However, an alternative therapy is needed due to the unsatisfactory cure rate of the IFN-based therapy. Using a modified reporter assay based on the HCV subgenomic-replicon system, we found that sodium stibogluconate (SSG), a compound used for leishmania treatment, suppressed HCV replication. We have previously reported that SSG is effective at inhibiting HCV replication in a cell line permissive for HCV infection/replication and in an ex vivo assay using fresh human liver slices obtained from patients infected with HCV (26). In this study, we show that the SSG 50% inhibitory dose for HCV replication is 0.2 to 0.3 mg/ml (equivalent to 345 to 517 microM of Sb) in the HCV subgenomic-replicon system. We also found that SSG and IFN-alpha exert a strong synergistic anti-HCV effect in both the traditional isobologram analysis and the median effect principle (CalcuSyn analysis). The combination of SSG and IFN-alpha could sustain the antiviral response better than SSG or IFN-alpha alone. The results suggest that SSG may be a good drug candidate for use in combination with other therapeutics, such as IFN-alpha and ribavirin, to treat HCV infection.

Antimony↗
PubMed1988

Host Ranges of the IncN Group Plasmid pCU1 and Its Minireplicon in Gram-Negative Purple Bacteria.

The bacterial host ranges of the conjugatively self-transmissible IncN group plasmid pCU1 and its mobilizable miniderivative, pCU785, were examined. Species of the gram-negative purple bacteria were chosen for this study. Conjugative mobilization of pCU785 into a wide variety of bacteria was facilitated by the presence of oriT of the broad-host-range plasmid RK2 in pCU785. Although the host range of the IncN tra system of pCU1 is broad, the host range of its replicon is limited. However, the pCU1 replicon can be maintained in Agrobacterium, Bradyrhizobium, and Rhizobium species under conditions that select for plasmid maintenance. It is lost efficiently from these populations on release of selection.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1998

Isolation, characterization, and transfer of cryptic gene-mobilizing plasmids in the wheat rhizosphere.

A set of self-transmissible plasmids with IncQ plasmid-mobilizing capacity was isolated by triparental exogenous isolation from the wheat rhizosphere with an Escherichia coli IncQ plasmid host and a Ralstonia eutropha recipient. Three plasmids of 38 to 45 kb, denoted pIPO1, pIPO2, and pIPO3, were selected for further study. No selectable traits (antibiotic or heavy-metal resistance) were identified in these plasmids. The plasmids were characterized by replicon typing via PCR and hybridization with replicon-specific probes and other hybridizations. pIPO1 and pIPO3 were similar to each other, whereas pIPO2 was different. None of these plasmids belonged to any known incompatibility group. pIPO2 was selected for further work, and a mini-Tn5-tet transposon was inserted to confer selectability. Plasmid pIPO2 had a broad IncQ plasmid mobilization and self-transfer range among the alpha, beta, and gamma subclasses of the Proteobacteria but did not show productive transfer to gram-positive bacteria. Plasmid pIPO2 mobilized IncQ plasmid pIE723 from Pseudomonas fluorescence to diverse indigenous proteobacteria in the rhizosphere of field-grown wheat. Transfer of pIE723 to indigenous bacteria was not observed in the absence of added pIPO2. A specific PCR primer system and a probe were developed for the detection of pIPO2-type plasmids in soil and rhizosphere. Analysis of soil DNA provided evidence for the presence of pIPO2 in inoculated wheat rhizosphere soil in the field study, as well as in the rhizosphere of uninoculated wheat plants growing in soil microcosms. The system failed to identify major reservoirs of pIPO2 in a variety of other soils.

Escherichia coli↗
PubMed1999

Development of a system for genetic manipulation of Bartonella bacilliformis.

Lack of a system for site-specific genetic manipulation has severely hindered studies on the molecular biology of all Bartonella species. We report the first site-specific mutagenesis and complementation for a Bartonella species. A highly transformable strain of B. bacilliformis, termed JB584, was isolated and found to exhibit a significant increase in transformation efficiency with the broad-host-range plasmid pBBR1MCS-2, relative to wild-type strains. Restriction analyses of genomic preparations with the methylation-sensitive restriction enzymes ClaI and StuI suggest that strain JB584 possesses a dcm methylase mutation that contributes to its enhanced transformability. A suicide plasmid, pUB1, which contains a polylinker, a pMB1 replicon, and a nptI kanamycin resistance cassette, was constructed. An internal 508-bp fragment of the B. bacilliformis flagellin gene (fla) was cloned into pUB1 to generate pUB508, a fla-targeting suicide vector. Introduction of pUB508 into JB584 by electroporation generated eight Kan(r) clones of B. bacilliformis. Characterization of one of these strains, termed JB585, indicated that allelic exchange between pUB508 and fla had occurred. Analysis by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, immunoblotting, and electron microscopy showed that synthesis of flagellin encoded by fla and secretion/assembly of flagella were abolished. Complementation of fla in trans was accomplished with a pBBR1MCS recombinant containing the entire wild-type fla gene (pBBRFLAG). These data conclusively show that inactivation of fla results in a bald, nonmotile phenotype and that pMB1 and REP replicons make suitable B. bacilliformis suicide and shuttle vectors, respectively. When used in conjunction with the highly transformable strain JB584, this system for site-specific genetic manipulation and complementation provides a new venue for studying the molecular biology of B. bacilliformis.

Bacteriological Techniques↗
PubMed2001

Characterization of the 450-kb linear plasmid in a polychlorinated biphenyl degrader, Rhodococcus sp. strain RHA1.

A strong polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) degrader, Rhodococcus sp. strain RHA1, has diverse biphenyl/PCB degradative genes and harbors huge linear plasmids, including pRHL1 (1,100 kb), pRHL2 (450 kb), and pRHL3 (330 kb). The diverse degradative genes are distributed mainly on the pRHL1 and pRHL2 plasmids. In this study, the structural and functional characteristics of pRHL2 were determined. We constructed a physical map of pRHL2, and the degradative enzyme genes, including bphB2, etbD2, etbC, bphDEF, bphC2, and bphC4, were localized in three regions. Conjugal transfer of pRHL2 between RHA1 mutant derivatives was observed at a frequency of 7.5 x 10(-5) transconjugant per recipient. These results suggested that the linear plasmid is a possible determinant of propagation of the diverse degradative genes in rhodococci. The termini of pRHL2 were cloned and sequenced. The left and right termini of pRHL2 had 3-bp perfect terminal inverted repeats and were not as similar to each other (64% identity) as the known actinomycete linear replicons are. Southern hybridization analysis with pRHL2 terminal probes suggested that the right terminus of pRHL2 is similar to pRHL1 and pRHL3 termini. Retardation of both terminal fragments in the gel shift assay indicated that each terminus of pRHL2 is linked to a protein. We suggest that pRHL2 has invertron termini, as has been reported previously for Streptomyces linear replicons.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed2005

Complete sequences of four plasmids of Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris SK11 reveal extensive adaptation to the dairy environment.

Lactococcus lactis strains are known to carry plasmids encoding industrially important traits. L. lactis subsp. cremoris SK11 is widely used by the dairy industry in cheese making. Its complete plasmid complement was sequenced and found to contain the plasmids pSK11A (10,372 bp), pSK11B (13,332 bp), pSK11L (47,165 bp), and pSK11P (75,814 bp). Six highly homologous repB-containing replicons were found, all belonging to the family of lactococcal theta-type replicons. Twenty-three complete insertion sequence elements segment the plasmids into numerous modules, many of which can be identified as functional units or containing functionally related genes. Plasmid-encoded functions previously known to reside on L. lactis SK11 plasmids were now mapped in detail, e.g., lactose utilization (lacR-lacABCDFEGX), the proteolytic system (prtM-prtP, pepO, pepF), and the oligopeptide permease system (oppDFBCA). Newly identified plasmid-encoded functions could facilitate the uptake of various cations, while the pabA and pabB genes could be essential for folate biosynthesis. A competitive advantage could be obtained by using the putative flavin adenine dinucleotide-dependent d-lactate dehydrogenase and oxalate:formate antiporter for enhanced ATP synthesis, while the activity of the predicted alpha-acetolactate decarboxylase may contribute to the formation of an additional electron sink. Various stress response proteins are plasmid encoded, which could enhance strain robustness. A substantial number of these "adaptation" genes have not been described before on L. lactis plasmids. Moreover, several genes were identified for the first time in L. lactis, possibly reflecting horizontal gene transfer.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1992

Organization of aerobactin, hemolysin, and antibacterial resistance genes in lactose-negative Escherichia coli strains of serotype O4 isolated from children with diarrhea.

Epidemiologically related, non-lactose-fermenting (NLF) Escherichia coli strains of serotype O4 have been isolated at a high frequency from children with diarrhea in Somalia (M. Nicoletti, F. Superti, C. Conti, A. Calconi, and C. Zagaglia, J. Clin. Microbiol. 26:524-529, 1988). In order to define the virulence potential of these strains, we characterized the replication properties of their high-molecular-weight plasmids and studied the genetic locations and organization of the aerobactin (aer) and hemolysin (hly) determinants encoded by 23 NLF O4 E. coli strains. Southern blot hybridizations, mobilization assays of nonconjugative plasmids, and incompatibility-exclusion experiments conducted with a conjugative incompatibility group FI (IncFI) plasmid showed that (i) 20 out of the 23 strains examined harbor a 160- to 180-kb IncFI plasmid that shares homology with the basic replicons RepFIA, RepFIB, and (except for the plasmid of one strain) RepFIC, and 22 strains also contain a 40- to 140-kb IncFII plasmid sharing homology with the RepFIIA replicon; (ii) the IncFI plasmid is nonconjugative and carries antibiotic resistance genes; (iii) the aer system is located on the IncFI plasmids and/or the chromosomes in the three strains not harboring IncFI, and it is found in an inverted orientation; (iv) the hly determinants are located on the chromosome, and their genetic organization is well conserved and closely resembles that of the reference hemolytic plasmid pHly152; and (v) Hly- mutants obtained by transposon insertion mutagenesis are not cytotoxic to HeLa cell monolayers, indicating that hemolysin is responsible for the high cytotoxic activity we have previously reported for these strains. The structural organization of the plasmid-encoded aer operon, together with the finding that those plasmids also carry antibiotic resistance genes, indicates that the IncFI plasmid of the NLF O4 E. coli strains studied more closely resembles aer-encoding virulence IncFI Salmonella R plasmids than E. coli ColV plasmids. The data presented here cannot rule out whether the strains examined are potentially intestinal or extraintestinal pathogens. Nevertheless, the genetic organization of the virulence genes, together with the epidemiological behavior and the wide spectrum of antibiotic resistance of the NLF O4 E. coli strains, indicates that these strains are structured as typical E. coli pathogenic isolates of human origin.

Child↗
PubMed1993

Construction of a model secretion system for oral streptococci.

A DNA fragment corresponding to the secretory domain from the Streptococcus mutans GS-5 gtfB gene, which encodes the putative 38-amino-acid signal peptide of the glucosyltransferase I (GTF-I) enzyme product, has been constructed. This fragment was fused with the alpha-amylase structural gene from alkalophilic Bacillus sp. strain 707. This hybrid gene as well as the intact amylase gene were introduced into an Escherichia coli-streptococcus shuttle vector consisting of three components: the E. coli replicon p15Aori from pACYC177, an erythromycin resistance gene from pAM beta-1, and the streptococcal replicon from pVA838. Transformation of the oral noncariogenic bacterium Streptococcus gordonii with the chimeric plasmid harboring the hybrid amylase gene resulted in strong extracellular amylase production. By contrast, transformants containing the intact amylase gene exhibited only trace amounts of amylase activity in culture fluids. Since the two signal peptide structures of the GTF-I enzyme and the Bacillus amylase are distinct from each other, these differences might result from the inability of S. gordonii to correctly process the Bacillus signal peptide. Furthermore, culture fluids from transformants of S. mutans as well as Streptococcus milleri harboring the hybrid amylase gene showed only weak amylase activity. Deletion of the gtfB, gtfC, or ftf gene from S. mutans GS-5 did not increase amylase secretion following transformation with the hybrid amylase gene. These results suggest that in contrast to S. gordonii, the inability of S. mutans and S. milleri to secrete hybrid amylase molecules could result from incorrect interaction of the secretory components of these organisms with amylase precursor molecules.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2001

Complete DNA sequence and comparative analysis of the 50-kilobase virulence plasmid of Salmonella enterica serovar Choleraesuis.

The complete nucleotide sequence of pKDSC50, a large virulence plasmid from Salmonella enterica serovar Choleraesuis strain RF-1, has been determined. We identified 48 of the open reading frames (ORFs) encoded by the 49,503-bp molecule. pKDSC50 encodes a known virulence-associated operon, the spv operon, which is composed of genes essential for systemic infection by nontyphoidal Salmonella. Analysis of the genetic organization of pKDSC50 suggests that the plasmid is composed of several virulence-associated genes, which include the spvRABCD genes, plasmid replication and maintenance genes, and one insertion sequence element. A second virulence-associated region including the pef (plasmid-encoded fimbria) operon and rck (resistance to complement killing) gene, which has been identified on the virulence plasmid of S. enterica serovar Typhimurium, was absent. Two different replicon regions, similar to the RepFIIA and RepFIB replicons, were found. Both showed high similarity to those of the pO157 plasmid of enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli O157:H7 and the enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC) adherence factor plasmid harbored by EPEC strain B171 (O111:NM), as well as the virulence plasmids of Salmonella serovars Typhimurium and Enteritidis. Comparative analysis of the nucleotide sequences of the 50-kb virulence plasmid of serovar Choleraesuis and the 94-kb virulence plasmid of serovar Typhimurium revealed that 47 out of 48 ORFs of the virulence plasmid of serovar Choleraesuis are highly homologous to the corresponding ORFs of the virulence plasmid of serovar Typhimurium, suggesting a common ancestry.

Base Sequence↗