Science, Vol 195, Issue 4282, 998-1000
Copyright © 1977 by American Association for the Advancement of Science
Conjugal transfer of the gonococcal penicillinase plasmid
BI Eisenstein,
T Sox,
G Biswas,
E Blackman,
and
PF Sparling
Certain gonococci, which heretofore have lacked a conjugal mating system, can sexually transfer a small plasmid (4.5 x 10)6) daltons) which carries the gene for beta-lactamase production. Frequencies of conjugal transfer were similar into diverse recipients (other gonococci, Neisseria flava, and Escherichia coli), which suggests that gonococci may transfer the plasmid promiscuously in nature.