Abstract

Plasmid Curing From Escherichia Coli By Acridine Dyes

Author(s): Abbas Rezaee, Mandana Mobarhan, Mohamad Salam

In the present study, curing of Escherichia coli plasmids in the presence of acriflavine and acridine orange, acridine dyes, were characterized using clinical strains. The bacteria offered tetracycline resistance as a plasmid marker. Growth in the present of acridine dyes initially caused changes in the plasmid profile followed by total elimination of plasmids. Concomitant to this loss of all plasmids, the cured derivatives became sensitive to tetracycline. The viability ofE. coliwasmeasured using replica platemethod. The results obtained demonstrate that the acridine dyes can induces a clear curing with good viability. The ability to cure plasmids provides a useful tool for some genetic analysis and engineering.