Evolution and utility of a Pseudomonas aeruginosa drug resistance factor

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Abstract
The addition to the P. aeruginosa sex factor, FP2, of carbenicillin resistance encoded by the RP1 plasmid is described. This occurred in a stepwise manner as detected by variations in the characteristics of the FP2-RP1 plasmid aggregate. The addition of the carbenicillin resistance marker to FP2 facilitates estimates of FP2 transfer. Transfer frequencies for the presumed cointegrate plasmic, using carbenicillin selection, approached 10-1/donor bacterium. The chromosomal mobilization properties of the derived plasmic, designated pR0271, resembled those of the progenitor plasmid FP2. Plasmid pRO271 also mobilized a nontransmissible drug resistance plasmid sharing genetic homology at frequencies corresponding to those observed for chromosomal markers proximal to the origin of transfer.