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Intramolecular amplification of the tetracycline resistance determinant of transposon Tn1771 in Escherichia coli

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  14 April 2009

F. Schöffl
Affiliation:
Institut für Mikrobiologie und Biochemie, Lehrstuhl für Mikrobiologie der Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, D 8520 Erlangen, Egerlandstr. 7, Germany
A. Pühler
Affiliation:
Institut für Mikrobiologie und Biochemie, Lehrstuhl für Mikrobiologie der Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, D 8520 Erlangen, Egerlandstr. 7, Germany
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Summary

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Strains of Escherichia coli harbouring a conjugative plasmid that carries a transposon for tetracycline resistance (Tn1771) were found to be adaptable to very high tetracycline concentrations. The molecular analysis of plasmids isolated from strains with enhanced levels of tetracycline resistance revealed an intramolecular amplification of the resistance determinant of the tetracycline transposon.

A model for the molecular structure of the transposon is presented, which suggests that there are three repetitive DNA segments on Tn1771. This accounts for the properties both of transposition and of gene amplification.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1979

References

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