Microbial Genetics Flashcards
RecA
Protein required for homologous recombination
lateral gene transfer
gene transfer between unrelated cells
-Due to lateral gene transfer organisms with similar genes may not have evolved from a common ancestor
vertical gene transfer
Gene transfer from mother to daughter
transformation
gene transfer by taking up soluble DNA from the environment
What is transduction?
Gene transfer by means of bacteriophages
Generalized Transduction Process
- Bacteriophage injects its genome into a host bacterium
- The phage genome directs the bacterial cell to synthesize new
phage genomes and new phage coats. Phage genomes are
packaged into phage heads to make mature phage particles. At
an extremely low frequency, there is a mistake in phage
packaging, and bacterial genes (rather than phage genes) can
be packaged in phage heads, producing “transducing phage.” - Mature bacteriophage particles are released from the host cell
and can now infect another bacterial cell. - A recipient bacterial cell infected by a transducing phage
acquires genes that originated from the first host bacterium.
These genes will be inherited by progeny cells only if the new
genes are integrated into the recipient’s genome by
homologous recombination.
Generalized transduction
Any of the hosts bacterium’s genes can be transferred
Specialized Transduction
only certain genes can be transferred
-genes that are neighboring to the attB site will be transferred
Conjugation
Gene transfer that requires cell-cell contact. Includes R plasmid, F plasmid, F’ plasmid, and Hfr transfer
Mechanism of Transformation
- Naked DNA fragments from disintegrated cells in the area of a potential recipient cell. This cell must be of the correct genus and be in a state of competence, a proper physiological condition, to permit entry of the DNA fragment.
- Entry of naked DNA into competent cell
3.Recombination
-Some DNA fragments replace host cell DNA. The resultant recombinant cell is said to have genetically transformed and will now express the foreign genes it has received and pass them on to all its progeny.
-DNA that has not recombines is broken down by enzymes
natural vs artificial transformation
-Natural: is fairly rare
*Requires naturally competent cells, which can be found in dense
cultures
*The DNA source for natural transformation is thought to be from dead
or lysed cells, although this is controversial.
-Artificial: In the laboratory
*chemically competent cells: Ca +2 ions make E.coli competent to take
up DNA
*electroporation: DNA entry through transient holes in cell membranes
made by a pulse of high voltage
*a fundamental technique in recombinant DNA technology
what is competence?
Cells that can take up DNA from the environment
Virulent Phage
Always replicate using the lytic cycle
Temperate Phage
can replicate using the lytic and cycle or lysogenic cycle
Lytic cycle
1.adsorption
2. penetration
3. synthesis
4. assembly
5. lysis
Lysogenic Cycle
During penetration prophage is integrated
2. prophage is excised—≥ assembly