Variants of the plasmid pAS8 delta with increased frequency of integration into Rhodopseudomonas sphaeroides chromosome--the result of IS8-element duplication

The possible participation of IS8 and IS elements of Rhodopseudomonas sphaeroides in cointegrate formation by chromosome of the purple bacterium and plasmid pAS8-121 delta has been studied. The plasmid derivatives having deleted Tn7 have been studied. Plasmid integration into the chromosome of the purple bacterium is shown to be mediated by IS8 element of the plasmid. Plasmid derivatives having the integration potential increased for two orders were isolated by a series of intergeneric conjugational crosses during which plasmid pAS8-121 delta was transferred from Rhodopseudomonas sphaeroides (cointegrate of plasmid and chromosome) to Escherichia coli (plasmid in an autonomous state) and back to Rhodopseudomonas sphaeroides. The restriction analysis of plasmid DNA digested by Hpal and Smal restriction endonucleases has revealed the tandem duplications of IS8 in plasmids capable of integration into the chromosome of the purple bacterium with a high frequency.