A 38 base-pair segment of DNA is required in cis for conjugative mobilization of broad host-range plasmid R1162

Abstract

oriT, the region required in cis for conjugative mobilization of broad host-range plasmid R1162, has been localized to a 38 base-pair segment of DNA. The oriT DNA is also required for conjugation-dependent recombination. Point mutations at the HinPI cleavage site within oriT affect both mobilization and recombination, and the crossover location has been mapped to this site. An inverted repeat ten base-pairs from the recombination site is also involved in mobilization and recombination, and may be a recognition site for proteins involved in cleavage of the oriT DNA. The properties of conjugation-dependent recombination suggest that mobilization entails the formation of a linear intermediate that is transferred with both a unique origin and polarity.