Effective selection and analysis of IS1 element transposition using the oLpLN region of phage lambda

The plasmid pNT6 permits selection of IS1-element insertions into the plasmid occurring with the frequency about 10%. The bacteriophage promoter pL cloned in pNT6 is a hot-spot region for IS1-element insertion. The frequency of IS1 transposition into pL depends on genotype. The plasmid pNT6 may be considered to be a useful target DNA for screening and analysis of IS1-element transposition.     

Immunity to repeated transposition of the insertion sequence IS21

The ability of pBR325 derivatives carrying a copy of IS21-element to accept the second copy of this element from plasmid pRP19.6, a temperature-sensitive for replication mutant of RPI containing the duplicated IS21 was studied. It was shown that the frequency of IS21 transposition into plasmids pBR32S::IS21 differing by localization IS21 was lower by two orders of magnitude as compared to that of pBR325. The restriction endonuclease analysis revealed that the insertion of the second copy of IS21 resulted in the formation of pBR325 derivatives carrying the tandem repeated copies of IS21. It was also shown that the plasmids pBR325::IS21 were capable of increasing the frequency of pRP19.6 insertion into the bacterial chromosome from 3-9 to 200-300 times depending on IS21 localization. On the basis of the results obtained and literature data the possible mechanism of the transposition immunity is discussed.     

Transposition of IS10R in Lactococcus lactis

Aims:  To characterize the transposition mechanism of the IS-element IS 10 R and study how this element is involved in gene disruption in Lactococcus lactis .
Methods and Results:  The gene flciA confers immunity against lactococcin A in lactococci. However, the immunity function was lost when flciA was co-expressed with the regulator gene nisR on a plasmid in L. lactis NZ9000. By PCR and DNA sequencing, it was revealed that flciA in immune-negative transformants was disrupted by the IS-element IS 10 R. Such gene disruption did not occur when flciA was expressed alone nor when the plasmid-located nisR was mutated, suggesting that nisR is directly involved in the transposition. The sequence 5'-CACTTAACC-3', which was found in flciA and at both ends of the inserted IS 10 R, was identified as target site by site-directed mutagenesis.
Conclusions:  IS 10 R transposes in L. lactis NZ9000 in a nisR -dependent fashion and employs the sequence 5'-CACTTAACC-3' as integration site.
Significance and Impact of the Study:  To our knowledge, this is the first time IS 10 R and aspects of its transposition are described in the industrial important bacterium L. lactis . The highly controllable insertion of IS 10 R into a target site might present a great potential as a gene disruption system.     

Structural and functional organization of the transposon Tn2555 carrying saccharose utilization genes

Transposon Tn2555 was isolated from a clinical E. coli strain carries the genes for sucrose utilization. Previously it was shown that Tn2555 is very unstable and undergoes structural rearrangements with a high frequency. Several deletion derivatives of Tn2555 and one with an inversion of the internal segment were found. They form the Tn2555 transposon family. This paper describes further structural and functional analysis of Tn2555. In the course of the experiments on pBR325 (Mob-) mobilization by conjugative RP4 derivatives, containing Tn2555 family elements, it was found, that all of them induce cointegrate formation. Some of these cointegrates were able to dissociate in rec+ and recA E. coli cells. Restriction endonuclease analysis of the resulting plasmids have shown, that among them were the end products of the Tn2555 transposition from RP4 to pBR325. Besides, the pBR325 derivatives, containing a discrete DNA segment of approximately 800 b.p., originating from Tn2555, were found. The segment can transpose from pBR325 to RP4 indicating that it is an insertion sequence. This new IS-element was designated IS286. The size and the genetic properties of IS286 resemble those of the IS1 element. However restriction analysis and Southern hybridization data show no significant homology between IS286 and IS1. It was found that the Tn2555 family elements are flanked by directly repeated IS286. One of them (Tn2555.3) contains an additional copy of IS286 in its internal region.     

Evolution of Tn21-related transposons: isolation of Tn2425, which harbours IS161

The isolation of two multi-resistance transposons, Tn2425 and Tn1831, and their relation to Tn21 and Tn2424, is described. A 1.7 kb segment present in Tn2424 and Tn2425 was identified as an IS element by rec-independent transposition, resulting in a cointegrate structure that carries two direct repeated copies of the IS element. By the isolation of this IS element we demonstrated that transposition is one mechanism leading to sequence variations in Tn21-like structures, especially in the region between the mer operon and the sul gene.     

Excision and Transposition of Tn5 as an Sos Activity in Escherichia Coli

Excision and transposition of the Tn5 element in Escherichia coli ordinarily appear to occur by recA-independent mechanisms. However, recA(Prtc) genes, which encode RecA proteins that are constitutively activated to the protease state, greatly enhanced excision and transposition; both events appeared to occur concomitantly and without destruction of the donor DNA. The recombinase function of the RecA protein was not required. Transposition was accompanied by partial, and occasionally full, restoration of the functional integrity of the gene vacated by the excised Tn5. The stimulation of transposition was inhibited by an uncleavable LexA protein and was strongly enhanced by an additional role of the RecA(Prtc) protein besides its mediation of LexA cleavage. To account for the enhanced transposition, we suggest that (i) there may be a LexA binding site within the promoter for the IS50 transposase, (ii) activated RecA may cleave the IS50 transposition inhibitor, and (iii) the transposase may be formed by RecA cleavage of a precursor molecule.     

Thermosensitive vector derived from RP1 plasmid for detection of transposable elements

The involvement of the transposable DNA element of E. coli K12 chromosome in integrative recombination of RP1 plasmid was studied. Using temperature sensitive for replication plasmid RP1ts12--the derivative of RP1 which contains mutated transposon Tnl, it was shown that integration of RP1 into host chromosome and Hfr formation may occur according to a mechanism mediated by chromosome IS-elements. Plasmids that are desintegrated from the chromosome of these Hfrs contain discrete DNA segments (IS-elements) and possess elevated frequency of integration into chromosome of rec+ cells. The latter was used for selection of RP1ts12 recombinants carrying chromosome IS. For identification of IS involved in RP1 integration the number of independent RP1ts 12 recombinants was subjected to restriction and heteroduplex analysis. By analysing recombinants integrated into bacterial chromosome with frequency 5 X 10(-3), a new IS-element of E. coli K12 designated IS111 was discovered. IS111-element is about 1500bp of length, contains Smal, Pst1 and BamH1 restriction endonuclease sites and was found in the same position on the plasmid RP1 in two different orientations. IS-elements that have been revealed in a number of other RP1ts12 recombinants were preliminary identified as IS1-like elements. One recombinants plasmid was found to have an IS5-like elements. The activity of IS-elements inserted into RP1ts12 in recA-dependent integrative recombination was estimated. From the data of absolute and relative RP1ts12 integration frequencies mediated by IS111, IS1- and IS5-like elements a conclusion was made about the absence of E. coli K12 chromosome IS-elements in RP1 plasmid. The Hfr-formation and chromosomal gene transfer by recombinant plasmids RP1ts12: IS111 were studied. The possibility to use insertion RP1ts12 derivatives for the estimation of copies number, mapping and definition of orientation of IS-elements in bacterial chromosome and the possibilities for detection of transposable DNA elements using RP1ts12 in a wide range of gram-negative bacteria are discussed.     

Identification of insertion sequence from a gamma-hexachlorocyclohexane degrading bacterium, Sphingomonas paucimobilis UT26

Tn5-derived mutants of the gamma-hexachlorocyclohexane-degrading bacterium Sphingomonas paucimobilis UT26 were genetically characterized, and an endogenous insertion sequence (IS) which belongs to the IS1380 family was identified. The IS, named ISsp1, existed as multi copies in UT26, and its transposition appeared to be activated during the process of Tn5-mutagenesis. It was found that transposon mutagenesis can cause endogenous mutations.     

Tn602: A naturally occurring relative of Tn903 with direct repeats

We report the characterization of Tn602, a transposon encoding resistance to kanamycin and related aminoglycosides present on the R-plasmid pGD10. Tn602 is highly homologous to the previously characterized Tn903, present on the R-plasmid R6, in that it consists of a gene for aminoglycoside-phosphotransferase-3'-I (homologous to that of Tn903) flanked by copies of an IS-element homologous to IS903. Tn602 differs from Tn903 in the following respects: the flanking IS-elements (IS602) are in direct rather than inverted orientation as in Tn903; the fusion points between the IS-elements and the central region are different from those in Tn903; and several sequence changes, detected by the loss and acquisition of restriction sites, show the two repeats of IS602 to be nonidentical and different from IS903, IS102, and IS903.B. These structural details suggest that Tn602 and Tn903 evolved separately from related modules.     

细菌插入序列的转座酶和转座机制

插入序列（insertion sequence, IS）是细菌中最简单的移动遗传因子,由两端的反向重复序列（inverted repeats, IR）和中间的转座酶 (transposase)编码序列组成。在细菌中,因为插入序列的转座酶催化活性中心氨基酸序列不同,所以将其转座酶分为DDE转座酶、DEDD转座酶、HUH转座酶和丝氨酸转座酶。在转座过程中,根据插入序列是否有复制,将插入序列的转座分为复制型转座（replicative -ansposition）和非复制型转座（non-replicative transposition）,而将形成夏皮罗中间体（Shapiro intermediate）的非复制型转座称为保守型转座（conservative transposition）。此外,插入序列通过不同的转座机制插入到基因编码区导致基因突变、缺失和倒置;或者插入到基因上游,通过自身启动子或与基因形成杂交启动子来影响插入序列下游基因的表达,从而帮助细菌抵抗复杂的环境变化。本文主要围绕细菌插入序列的特征、转座酶、转座机制和转座影响展开综述,以期为进一步研究插入序列的机制和插入序列在细菌中所起的作用提供参考。     

IS10 transposition is regulated by DNA adenine methylation

We show that dam- mutants are a major class of E. coli mutants with increased IS10 activity. IS10 has two dam methylation sites, one within the transposase promoter and one within the inner terminus where transposase presumably binds. Absence of methylation results in increased activity of both promoter and terminus, and completely accounts for increased transposition in dam- strains. Transposition of Tn903 and Tn5 are also increased in dam- strains, probably for analogous reasons. Transposition is also increased when IS10 is hemimethylated. One hemimethylated species is much more active than the other and is estimated to be at least 1000 times more active than a fully methylated element. Evidence is presented that the promoter and inner terminus of IS10 are coordinately activated in a dam-dependent fashion, presumably because they are hemimethylated at the same time. Thus, in dam+ strains, IS10 will transpose preferentially when DNA is hemimethylated. We suggest specifically that IS10 transposition may preferentially occur immediately after passage of a chromosomal replication fork.     

Integration host factor plays a role in IS50 and Tn5 transposition.

In Escherichia coli, the frequencies of IS50 and Tn5 transposition are greater in Dam- cells than in isogenic Dam+ cells. IS50 transposition is increased approximately 1,000-fold and Tn5 transposition frequencies are increased about 5- to 10-fold in the absence of Dam methylation. However, in cells that are deficient for both integration host factor (IHF) and Dam methylase, the transposition frequencies of IS50 and Tn5 approximate those found in wild-type cells. The absence of IHF alone has no effect on either IS50 or Tn5 transposition. These results suggest that IHF is required for the increased transposition frequencies of IS50 and Tn5 that are observed in Dam- cells. It is also shown that the level of expression of IS50-encoded proteins, P1 and P2, required for IS50 and Tn5 transposition and its regulation does not decrease in IHF- or in IHF- Dam- cells. This result suggests that the effects of IHF on IS50 and Tn5 transposition are not at the level of IS50 gene expression. Finally, IHF is demonstrated to significantly retard the electrophoretic mobility of a 289-base-pair segment of IS50 DNA that contains a putative IHF protein-binding site. The physiological role of this IHF binding site remains to be determined.     

The istA gene of insertion sequence IS21 is essential for cleavage at the inner 3'' ends of tandemly repeated IS21 elements in vitro.

The bacterial 2.1 kb insertion sequence IS21 occurs as a tandem repeat [=(IS21)2] on the broad host range plasmid R68.45. In (IS21)2, the two IS21 elements are separated by 3 bp termed junction sequence. Plasmids carrying (IS21)2 form cointegrates with other replicons at high frequencies. The two IS21 genes, istA and istB, were found to be necessary for cointegrate formation in vivo. Since the outer ends of (IS21)2 are dispensable for cointegrate formation, we favor a transposition model according to which a plasmid carrying (IS21)2 is cleaved at the junction sequence; the opened plasmid is then inserted into a target replicon. Here we show that Escherichia coli cell extracts, which contained over-produced IstA protein, nicked a supercoiled (IS21)2 plasmid precisely at the inner 3' termini of IS21; the resulting staggered cut generated 5' protrusions. The istA gene, but not the istB gene, was required for in vitro cleavage of an IS21-IS21 junction. Because of this cleavage and our previous findings (generation of 4 bp target duplications and loss of the junction sequence after cointegrate formation in vivo) we propose that plasmids with (IS21)2 produce cointegrates by a mechanism which involves joining of the inner 3' ends of IS21 to the 5' ends of the target.     

Analysis of IS21-mediated mobilization of plasmid pACYC184 by R68.45 in Escherichia coli

Escherichia coli plasmids like pACYC184 or pBR325 can be mobilized by the P-type plasmid R68.45, which carries a tandem duplication of insertion element IS21, at a frequency of 10^?3–10^?5 per donor cell. Analysis of exconjugant cells revealed that plasmid mobilization occurs via cointegrate formation involving transposition of IS21. No resolution of cointegrates of pACYC184 and the P-type plasmid could be found in recA recipient cells. In the cointegrate, the E. coli plasmid is flanked by single copies of IS21 in direct orientation. After resolution of the cointegrate in recA⁺ recipients, the mobilizing plasmid R68.45 lost one copy of IS21 becoming indistinguishable from plasmid R68. It was shown that during mobilization, insertion element IS21 transposes to the mobilized plasmid. Insertion sites and orientations of IS21 in 33 pACYC184::IS21 insertion mutants have been determined: IS21 was found to be integrated in plasmid pACYC184 in different regions but only in one orientation. The IS21 tandem structure of plasmid R68.45 and its role in the mobilization process is discussed.     

Bvg-negative regulation of repeated sequence transferring in Bordetella pertussis cells

A method of monitoring the sequential events of IS481 transposition into the ctag site of bvg operon of Bordetella pertussis has been developed. Reproduction of virulent B. pertussis cells in vitro is accompanied by intrachromosomal site-specific IS481 transposition, which, in turn, results in inactivation of bvg operon of the causative agent and cell avirulent state. Avirulent bvg mutants of B. pertussis are incapable of intramolecular IS481 transposition. The frequency of the transposition increases when MgSO4 and nicotinic acid are present the culture medium. In the absence of these modulating factors. IS481 transposition along B. pertussis chromosome is inhibited but not arrested completely. Negative regulation of the bvg-repressed genes of B. pertussis seems to be a mechanism that controls bvg-dependent IS481 transposition.     

Transposon Tn10: genetic organization, regulation, and insertion specificity

Transposon Tn10 is a composite element in which two individual insertion sequence (IS)-like sequences cooperate to mediate transposition of the intervening material. The two flanking IS10 elements are not identical; IS10-right is responsible for functions required to promote transposition, and IS10-left is defective in transposition functions. We suggest that the two IS10 elements were originally identical in sequence and have subsequently diverged. IS10-right is compactly organized with structural gene(s), promoters, and sites important for transposition and (presumably) its regulation all closely linked and, in some cases, overlapping. IS10 has a single major coding region that almost certainly encodes an essential transposition function. A pair of opposing promoters flank the start of this coding region. One of these promoters is responsible for expression in vivo of transposon-encoded transposition functions. We propose that the second promoter is involved in modulation of Tn10 transposition. Genetic analysis suggests that transposon-encoded function(s) may be preferentially cis-acting. Insertion of Tn10 into particular preferred target sites is due primarily to the occurrence of a particular six-base pair target DNA sequence. The properties of this sequence suggest that symmetrically disposed subunits of a single protein may be responsible for both recognition and cleavage of target DNA during insertion.     

Transposition of the IS21-related element IS1415 in Rhodococcus erythropolis.

Three copies of the IS21-related transposable element IS1415 were identified in Rhodococcus erythropolis NI86/21. Adjacent to one of the IS1415 copies, a 47-bp sequence nearly identical to the conserved 5' end of integrons was found. Accurate transposition of IS1415 carrying a chloramphenicol resistance gene (Tn5561) was demonstrated following delivery from a suicide vector to R. erythropolis SQ1.