[Characteristics of conjugative transfer of Bacillus subtilis chromosomal genes].

Some properties concerning conjugal transmission of chromosomal genes for resistance to antibiotics lincomycin, spectinomycin, and erythromycin that occurs upon contact of cells, which carry a large plasmid p19, and p19 plasmid-free cells are considered in the soil strain Bacillus subtilis 19. Genes were transferred at different rates, depending on the order of their transfer. The transfer of chromosomal genes occurred irrespective of the transmission of self-transmissible autonomous conjugative plasmid p19.

[Conjugative chromosomal gene transfer in Bacillus subtilis].

Conjugative transfer of 20-kb chromosomal fragment carrying genes encoding tetracycline (tet(r)) and lincomycin (lin(r)) resistance in the soil strain Bacillus subtilis 19 is described. Transfer was preceded by this fragment insertion into the large conjugative pl9cat plasmid producing a hybrid plasmid. Insertion frequency was 10(-4)-10(-5).

[A phenomenon of plasmid retrotransfer in conjugation of Bacillus subtilis].

A conjugal retrotransfer-retromobilization of a small nonconjugative plasmid pUB110 was established in Bacillus subtilis. This process involves a large conjugative plasmid p19.