RNA-seq analysis of the transfer of R388 plasmid with or without ardC, from E. coli to P. putida

P. putida KT2440 was mixed in a conjugation filter with either E. coli BW27783-NxR bearing no plasmid (NP), E. coli BW27783-NxR bearing pSU2007 (ardC+) or E. coli BW27783-NxR bearing pLGM25 (ardC-). RNA-seq results showed that: (a) R388 genes involved in conjugation are highly upregulated in the ardC+ condition with respect to the ardC- condition. (b) a number of donor E. coli genes and pathways involved in flagellar motility, SOS and stress responses and different metabolic pathways are downregulated in the ardC- condition with respect to NP or ardC+ conditions. (c) SOS genes are upregulated in recipient P. putida cells when receiving ardC+ containing plasmid with respect to NP or ardC- conditions. R388, E. coli or P putida gene expression during the transfer of R388 plasmis with or without ardC