Plasmid-encoded genes for pantothenate synthesis in Rhizobium
Author Information
Author(s): Tomás Villaseñor, Susana Brom, Araceli Dávalos, Luis Lozano, David Romero, Alejandro García-de los Santos
Primary Institution: Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México
Hypothesis
Are the panC and panB genes essential for pantothenate biosynthesis in Rhizobium etli and Rhizobium leguminosarum?
Conclusion
The core panCB genes located in plasmids of R. etli and R. leguminosarum are essential for pantothenate synthesis.
Supporting Evidence
- Mutants lacking panC and panB could not grow in minimal medium without pantothenate.
- The panCB genes are conserved in plasmids of R. etli and R. leguminosarum but not in other Rhizobiales.
- Phylogenetic analysis suggests that the presence of panCB genes in plasmids may result from intragenomic transfer.
Takeaway
Some important genes for making a nutrient called pantothenate are found on plasmids instead of the main chromosome in certain bacteria.
Methodology
The study involved creating mutants of the panC and panB genes and analyzing their growth in minimal medium.
Limitations
The panCB genes could not fully restore growth in a strain lacking plasmid p42f, indicating other essential functions are also encoded on this plasmid.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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