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Plasmid Genomes, Introduction to

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Molecular Life Sciences

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Synopsis

Plasmids are defined as extrachromosomal DNA that can replicate autonomously, a feature that has been used in plasmid vector construction and in plasmid classification schemes. Replication functions can also be used to identify and classify plasmid sequences from genome sequencing projects using modern bioinformatic analysis algorithms. The replication genes form the replicon, which are usually found clustered together on the plasmid along with auxiliary stable inheritance functions. These include partitioning genes in low copy number plasmids or multimer resolution functions in high copy number plasmids. Addiction systems that prevent plasmid loss complete this suite of core replication and maintenance functions, known as the “backbone” genes. A secondary set of core plasmid functions is the mobilization and mating pair formation components that promote conjugative plasmid and chromosomal transfer between cells. The core functions are controlled by regulatory elements that...

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Microbiology and Infection, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, B15 2TT, Birmingham, UK

    Christopher M. Thomas

  2. Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

    Laura S. Frost

Authors
  1. Christopher M. Thomas
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  2. Laura S. Frost
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Correspondence to Christopher M. Thomas .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Dept of Chemistry, University of Richmond, Richmond, Virginia, USA

    Ellis Bell

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Thomas, C.M., Frost, L.S. (2014). Plasmid Genomes, Introduction to. In: Bell, E. (eds) Molecular Life Sciences. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-6436-5_107-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-6436-5_107-2

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4614-6436-5

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