Transcriptional organization of the temperaturesensitive transfer system from the IncHI1 plasmid

Abstract

One of the characteristic features of IncHI1 plasmids is a thermosensitive process of conjugation, which is optimal between 22 6C and 30 6C but inhibited at 37 6C. R27, the prototypical IncHI1 plasmid, contains transfer genes clustered in two regions of the plasmid, Tra1 and Tra2. In the present study, transcriptional analyses of the tra genes were undertaken at both 30 6C and 37 6C. Screening of 38 tra genes showed that tra genes are transcriptionally linked in six operons, three in each Tra region. RT-PCR analysis showed that gene expression was reduced at 37 6C relative to that observed at 30 6C. The transcription start sites of the six transcripts were identified, promoters and upstream regions were cloned, and transcription was tested at both temperatures. In cells grown at 37 6C, in the presence of R27, the promoters were inhibited, except for promoters of the H operon and AN operon. Conditions that influenced DNA topology, such as osmolarity, anaerobiosis, quorum sensing and acidity, showed no significant influence on transfer frequency. These results should facilitate future understanding of the basis of temperature-sensitive transfer in this large conjugative plasmid.