CONJUGAL RETROTRANSFER OF CHROMOSOMAL MARKERS IN AZOTOBACTER-VINELANDII

The IncP plasmids R68.45 and pJB3JI mediate retrotransfer (i.e., transfer of chromosomal markers from the recipient bacterium to the original donor) in homologous matings with Azotobacter vinelandii. Retrotransfer is not an early event in Azotobacter. On the contrary, it begins after genetic transfer in the usual direction, i.e., from the donor bacterium to the recipient, has been taking place for some time. Transfer of chromosomal markers mediated by the RP4/Tn5-Mob system does not undergo retrotransfer. The simplest hypothesis compatible with our results is that IncP plasmids that confer a high chromosome-mobilizing ability promote retrotransfer when transferred to the recipient bacteria.