CONSTRUCTION OF A SHUTTLE VECTOR FOR USE IN FRANCISELLA-TULARENSIS

The characterisation of virulence factors of Francisella tularensis ha s been hampered by the lack of genetic system for the bacterium. In th is study, a shuttle vector was constructed that can replicate autonomo usly in F. tularensis and Escherichia coli. To obtain this vector, the p15A replication origin of E, coli plasmid pACYC184 was introduced in to a plasmid derivative of plasmid pFNL200, a plasmid which only can r eplicate in F. tularensis. The resulting shuttle vector, designated pK K202, harboured resistance genes for chloramphenicol and tetracycline. This vector might be used as a basis for the studies of virulence fac tors of F. tularensis.