The use of vectors that are designed to allow positive selection of recombi
nants facilitates cloning experiments in E. coli. Using kid, a lethal gene
of the RI plasmid parD locus, we generated pKID vectors leading to high sel
ective efficiency of recombinants (greater than 90%). The E. coli bacterial
host used to propagate these vectors produces the Kis protein, the natural
antagonist of Kid. This new positive-selection system exhibits the same ef
ficiency as the original ccdB-based selection vectors, pKIL (4). We also sh
ow that the ccdB and kid systems are independent. This property increases t
he potential of plasmidic poison-antidote systems for genetic applications
and opens the door to a generation of new vectors containing the two select
ion systems.