Molecular Characterization of the Klebicin B Plasmid of Klebsiella pneumoniae

• DOI: 10.1006/plas.2001.1519
• Publication Date: 2002-09-18T20:38:41Z
• Authors: Margaret A. Riley; Theodora Pinou; John E. Wertz; Yin Tan; Carla M. Valletta
• Keywords: Colicin; ColE1; Nuclease

The nucleotide sequence of a bacteriocin-encoding plasmid isolated from Klebsiella pneumoniae (pKlebB-K17/80) has been determined. The encoded klebicin B protein is similar in sequence to the DNase pyocins and colicins, suggesting that klebicin B functions as a nonspecific endonuclease. The klebicin gene cluster, as well as the plasmid backbone, is a chimera, with regions similar to those of pore-former colicins, nuclease pyocins and colicins as well as noncolicinogenic plasmids. Similarities between pKlebB plasmid maintenance functions and those of the colicin E1 plasmid suggest that pKlebB is a member of the ColE1 plasmid replication family.