Plasmid Segregation- Maintenance of Bacterial Replicons

Nida Tabassum Khan

doi:10.21767/2386-5180.1000187

Abstract

Plasmid segregation is a means of bacterial plasmid replication through which identical copies of plasmids are produced and is equally distributed among the newly produced daughter cells. Segregation mechanisms such as site-specific, active partition, toxin/anti-toxin system ensures that plasmid copy number is under control and is stably inherited.

Highlights

Segregation generates exact copies of the extra circular plasmid and ensures their stable distribution to the newly produces daughter cells during bacterial binary fission [1]
In case when plasmid stable-state copy number is increased the passive diffusion ensures stable transfer of a single copy of the plasmid to each of the daughter cells produced during fission in order to keep plasmid copy number count under the normal levels
As the cell divides at its midpoint the plasmids occupy the same positions of the new cells and replication and partition cycles are repeated. This mechanism of segregation is quite common in low-copy-number bacterial plasmids, toxin and anti- toxin system [8,9]

Summary

Introduction

Segregation generates exact copies of the extra circular plasmid and ensures their stable distribution to the newly produces daughter cells during bacterial binary fission [1]. In case when plasmid stable-state copy number is increased the passive diffusion ensures stable transfer of a single copy of the plasmid to each of the daughter cells produced during fission in order to keep plasmid copy number count under the normal levels. It is still suggested that random diffusion is adequate for the stable transmission of plasmids keeping their copy number count from moderate to high. Such plasmids were not freely distributed rather sorted into subcellular regions for equal distribution directed by an unfamiliar mechanism [2,3]

Literature Review

Discussion