REQUIREMENTS FOR MOBILIZATION OF PLASMIDS RSF1010 AND COLE1 BY THE INCW PLASMID-R388 - TRWB AND RP4-TRAG ARE INTERCHANGEABLE

Mobilization of plasmid RSF1010 by the IncW plasmid R388 requires the genes involved in W pilus synthesis plus trwB. traG of the IncP plasmi d RP4 can substitute for trwB in RSF1010 mobilization by R388 but not in self-transfer of R388. This result suggests a dual specificity of T rwB-like proteins in conjugation. The same genetic requirements were f ound for R388 to mobilize the unrelated plasmid ColE1.