1887

Abstract

strain VF39 contains a plasmid, pRleVF39b, which encodes a distinctive type of conjugation system (rhizobial type IVa) that is relatively widespread among rhizobial genomes. The cluster of genes encoding the transfer functions lacks orthologs to genes such as , and , but contains 15 conserved genes of unknown function. We determined the importance of these genes in conjugation by constructing marked and unmarked mutations in each gene, and established that six genes, now designated , played a significant role in plasmid transfer. Like the relaxase gene, , and the genes encoding the MPF system ( genes), five of these genes, located in two divergently transcribed operons, are regulated by the Xre family repressor TrbR. The other gene, encodes a protein with similarity to histidinol phosphatases, and its role in conjugation is unclear, but mutations in are severely impaired for conjugation. TrcF does not play a role in regulation of other conjugation genes.

Funding
This study was supported by the:
  • Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100000038 (Award RGPIN-2015-03926)
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2020-01-14
2024-04-25
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