Bacterial Genetics

(Chapter 7)
The beginning of Chapters 7 is largely a review of
topics covered in Biol 131, and our focus will be
on the sections beginning with Mutations to
Genes

We will discuss the basic steps used

in genetic engineering, and you
should read the pertinent sections of
Chapter 8.

How is knowledge of bacterial mutation

and recombination important?
-- Evolution
-- Antibiotic resistance
-- Genetic engineering

How do bacteria obtain new traits?

Spontaneous mutation
-- or experimentally induced
From other cells
Genetic recombination
Bacterial Genetics

The Bacterial Chromosome

Basic structure
DNA double helix
no nucleosomes

Replication
Plasmids

DNA replication
Bacterial Genetics

Genetic mutations are changes

to the genetic code
Some common types
and effects of mutations
chemical alterations
base substitution
deletions
-- cause shift in
reading frame

Bacterial Genetics

What are the causes of mutations?

Spontaneous vs Induced
Mutagens
Chemicals
UV light
Ionizing radiation

Bacterial Genetics

Mutations and
evolution of bacteria
Do all mutations lead to
beneficial changes?
Do mutations create beneficial
changes in response to specific
environment stresses (such as
high temperature)?
Will a beneficial mutation
always spread through a
population?
-- under what conditions?

Bacterial Genetics

The Ames test

-- book doesnt describe this well

Bioassay for chemical mutagenicity

Salmonella typhimurium used is a
His- auxotroph
Positive selection for a
back mutation to His+
(compare to negative selection in the book)
mutagens and carcinogens

Bacterial Genetics

Bacterial Genetic Recombination

Processes by which bacterial genes
are obtained from other organisms
= Horizontal gene transfer

Three processes:
1) Transformation
2) Conjugation
3) Transduction

Bacterial Genetics

Transformation
Griffith & Avery Studies
Gene sources
Competent cells

Transformation
Bacterial Genetics

Transduction
Transfer mediated
By virus

In Specialized transduction
Specific genes are passed

Transduction

Bacterial Genetics

Conjugation
Genes carried on a F-plasmid

Process of conjugation

Loss of F+ phenotype
Plasmids can carry other genes
R-plasmids

Conjugation
Virulence plasmids
Other nonessential traits
Bacterial Genetics

10

Hfr mediated conjugation

High frequency of recombination
Plasmid integration
Consequences

Bacterial Genetics

11

Use of Bacteria in
Biotechnology
Role of plasmids
Cloning of useful genes

Bacterial drug factories

Bio-engineering of other
organisms

Genetic Engineering
Bacterial Genetics

12