Error-prone Gene mucAB Variants in Escherichia coli Plasmids from Japanese Donors

Abstract

Variants of the error-prone gene, mucAB, were found in Escherichia coli plasmids from 3 out of 63 healthy Japanese donors. As compared with mucAB of pKM101, one contained unaltered mucA only, while two others contained full-sized, mutated mucAB with mutation-enhancing activity in E. coli. Possible interaction between bacterial plasmid genes and host humans was discussed.