Tn7 transposition: two transposition pathways directed by five Tn7-encoded genes

C S Waddell; N L Craig

doi:10.1101/gad.2.2.137

Tn7 transposition: two transposition pathways directed by five Tn7-encoded genes

Genes Dev. 1988 Feb;2(2):137-49. doi: 10.1101/gad.2.2.137.

Authors

C S Waddell¹, N L Craig

Affiliation

¹ Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of California, San Francisco 94143-0552.

PMID: 2834269
DOI: 10.1101/gad.2.2.137

Abstract

The bacterial transposon Tn7 is capable of high-frequency transposition to a specific site in the Escherichia coli chromosome, attTn7, and of low-frequency transposition to sites other than attTn7. Using an in vitro insertional mutagenesis procedure, we have identified and characterized five tns (Tn seven) genes that are essential for Tn7 transposition. Three of these genes, tnsA, tnsB, and tnsC, are required, but are not sufficient, for all Tn7 transposition events. In addition, tnsD is specifically required for transposition to attTn7, whereas tnsE is specifically required for transposition to other sites. Thus, Tn7 is an elaborate transposon that encodes two distinct but overlapping transposition pathways.

Publication types

Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

DNA Transposable Elements*
Escherichia coli / genetics*
Gene Amplification
Genes, Bacterial*
Mutation
Plasmids

Substances

DNA Transposable Elements