Plasmid evolution

Abstract

(Current Biology 30, R1158–R1163; October 5, 2020) In the initially published paper, the first report of a plasmid addiction mechanism was incorrectly attributed to Kulakauskas et al. (1995). A plasmid addiction mechanism mediated by restriction-modification (RM) systems was published first by Naito et al. in February 1995 (https://doi.org/10.1126/science.7846533), while the publication by Kulakauskas et al. appeared later, in June 1995 (https://doi.org/10.1128/jb.177.12.3451-3454.1995). Consequently, the first report of post-segregational killing by an RM system was by Naito et al. In that study, the function of RM systems as a plasmid addiction mechanism was determined by experiments in Escherichia coli carrying an unstable plasmid while measuring plasmid loss over several generations. Figure 2 in the Primer illustrates the results of the study by Kulakauskas et al., which confirmed the earlier report by Naito et al. The recommended “further reading” should include the study by Naito et al. The authors regret the incorrect attribution of the first report and acknowledge the pioneering contribution of Naito, Kusano, and Kobayashi to the discovery of plasmid addiction mechanisms. Plasmid evolutionWein et al.Current BiologyOctober 05, 2020In BriefPlasmids are genetic elements that colonize and replicate in prokaryotic cells. In this Primer, Wein and Dagan consider the many roles of plasmids in nature, and the forces that drive their evolution. Full-Text PDF Open Archive