Characterization of Plasmid pPO1 from the HyperacidophilePicrophilus oshimae

[摘要] Picrophilus oshimaeandPicrophilus torridusare free-living, moderately thermophilic and acidophilic organisms from the lineage ofEuryarchaeota. With a pH optimum of growth at pH 0.7 and the ability to even withstand molar concentrations of sulphuric acid, these organisms represent the most extreme acidophiles known. So far, nothing is known about plasmid biology in these hyperacidophiles. Also, there are no genetic tools available for this genus. We have mobilized the 7.6 Kbp plasmid fromP. oshimaeinE. coliby introducing origin-containing transposons and described the plasmid in terms of its nucleotide sequence, copy number in the native host, mode of replication, and transcriptional start sites of the encoded ORFs. Plasmid pPO1 may encode a restriction/modification system in addition to its replication functions. The information gained from the pPO1 plasmid may prove useful in developing a cloning system for this group of extreme acidophiles.

[学科分类] 微生物学和免疫学