Conjugal transfer of catabolic plasmids by damaged bacterial cells: Rescuing genes for pesticide biodegradation

Bacterial conjugative plasmids could carry genes involved in pesticide biodegradation. However, its conjugal transfer is affected by stressors such as metals. Our aim was to determine if bacterial cells exposed copper can conjugation the catabolic plasmid pRO101 and assessed expression of traK gene. Cupriavidus pinatubonensis AEO106 Pseudomonas putida KT2440 were used donor recipient strains, respectively. Mating assays carried out presence Cu2+ (0.3, 0.8, 1.6, 3.9 or 7.9 mM) H2O2 (0.1, 0.2, 0.5, 1, 2 5 mM). The gene effect on determined RTqPCR flow cytometry, Cytoplasmic membrane 90% damaged Cu2+, but transference occurred at a proportion similar control. Moreover, reduced (c.a. 50%) Cu2+. This demonstrated that still able plasmid, allowing rescue these genetic material contribute self-purifying processes environment. Although without ruling possibility transformation occurred, suggested between cells.