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Replication control in promiscuous plasmid RK2: kil and kor functions affect expression of the essential replication gene trfA

We previously reported that broad-host-range plasmid RK2 encodes multiple host-lethal kil determinants (kilA, kilB1, kilB2, and kilC) which are controlled by RK2-specified kor functions (korA, korB, and korC). Here we show that kil and kor determinants have significant effects on RK2 replication control. First, korA and korB inhibit the replication of certain RK2 derivatives, unless plasmid replication is made independent of the essential RK2 gene trfA. Second, kilB1 exerts a strong effect on this interaction. If the target plasmid is defective in kilB1, sensitivity to korA and korB is enhanced at least 100-fold. Thus, korA and korB act negatively on RK2 replication, whereas kilB1 acts in a positive manner to counteract this effect. A mutant RK2 derivative, resistant to korA and korB, was found to have fused a new promoter to trfA, indicating that the targets for korA and korB are at the 5' end of the trfA gene. We constructed a trfA-lacZ fusion and found that synthesis of beta-galactosidase is inhibited by korA and korB. Thus korA, korB, and kilB1 influence RK2 replication by regulating trfA expression. We conclude that the network of kil and kor determinants is part of a replication control system for RK2.