Genetic recombination betweenKlebsiella pneumoniaeandEnterobacter aerogenes

Abstract

SUMMARYIntergeneric recombination of chromosomal genes between strains ofKlebsiella pneumoniaeandEnterobacter aerogeneshas been observed. In these experiments a male strain ofK. pneumoniaeacted as donor andE. aerogenesacted as recipient. Closely linked genes were co-transferred with very high frequency, and transfer of a large fragment carrying several separated genes was not uncommon. Subcultures of a hybrid which had received a large fragment carrying five markers were tested for genetic stability; no spontaneous segregants were found among 34000 colonies tested. These results suggest that the transferred fragment had been integrated, and indicate the close genetic relationship betweenK. pneumoniaeandE. aerogenes. This is in agreement with their very similar biochemical properties.