Abstract

Using the conjugative transposon Tn916, we have identified a closed covalent circular form produced in vivo that is able to serve as an intermediate in transposition. When a region of a streptococcal chromosome containing Tn916 is cloned in an Escherichia coli plasmid, supercoiled transposon molecules are excised spontaneously. The purified supercoiled forms transform Bacillus subtilis protoplasts by inserting into the chromosome, apparently at random. In B. subtilis, Tn916 retains its ability to promote conjugative transposition, as shown by its transfer to Streptococcus pyogenes.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)4809-4813
Number of pages5
JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
Volume85
Issue number13
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 1988

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