Conjugation, the process by which plasmid DNA is transferred from one bacterium to
another, is mediated by type IV secretion systems (T4SSs). T4SSs are versatile systems that …

Plasmids cannot be understood as mere tools for genetic exchange: they are themselves
subject to the forces of evolution. Their genomic and phylogenetic features have been less …

We describe the construction of the pSW family of conditionally replicating plasmids which
are based on the IncX oriV origin (oriVR6Kγ) of replication that is dependent on the pir …

The structure of the 45 amino acid transcriptional repressor, CopG, has been solved
unliganded and bound to its target operator DNA. The protein, encoded by the promiscuous …

Conjugative transfer is a primary means of spread of mobile genetic elements (plasmids and
transposons) between bacteria. It leads to the dissemination and evolution of the genes …

Conjugative coupling proteins (CPs) are proposed to play a role in connecting the
relaxosome to a type IV secretion system (T4SS) during bacterial conjugation. Here we …

The bacterial type IV secretion systems (T4SSs) are a functionally diverse superfamily of
secretion systems found in many species of bacteria. Collectively, the T4SSs translocate …

Bacteria are the most ubiquitous of all organisms. Responsible for a number of diseases and
for many of the chemical cycles on which life depends, they are genetically adaptable. Vital …

EL Zechner*, F. de la Cruz, R. Eisenbrandt, AM Grahn, G. Koraimann, E. Lanka*, G. Muth, W.
Pansegrau, CM Thomas, BM Wilkins and M. Zatyka3. 1. IntroductionConjugation is the …

The tra operon of the prototypical F plasmid and its relatives enables transfer of a copy of the
plasmid to other bacterial cells via the process of conjugation. Tra proteins assemble to form …