[Mapping of the regions participating in the replication, maintenance and mobilization of the R-plasmid pBS222 with a wide circle of bacterial hosts].

The analysis of the deletion derivative of pBS359 obtained as a result of sodium bisulphite mutagenesis and of recombinant derivatives pBS361-pBS363 permitted to map genes of the broad-host-range pBS222 plasmid which participate in replication, maintenance and mobilization. These genes are localized within the coordinates 0.2 to 2.5 kb in the region including a unique HindIII restriction site on the pBS222 physical map. Possible participation of the in vitro synthesized polypeptides in providing functions of cosmopolitanism and mobilization is being considered. Putative molecular-genetic structure of pBS222 and the presence of active recombination points are discussed, as well as the merits of the employed method for obtaining derivatives. The derivatives obtained and recombinant plasmids belong to the smallest plasmids which may be inherited in various gram-negative bacteria.