Plasmids of lactococci-genetic accessories or genetic necessities?

Authors

Susan Mills, Moorepark Animal & Grassland Research Centre
Olivia E. McAuliffe, Moorepark Animal & Grassland Research Centre
Aidan Coffey, Department of Biological Sciences, Cork Institute of Technology, Cork, IrelandFollow
Gerald F. Fitzgerald, University College Cork
R. Paul Ross, Moorepark Animal & Grassland Research Centre

Document Type

Article

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Disciplines

Biology

Publication Details

FEMS Microbiology Reviews

Abstract

Lactococci are one of the most exploited microorganisms used in the manufacture of food. These intensively used cultures are generally characterized by having a rich plasmid complement. It could be argued that it is the plasmid complement of commercially utilized cultures that gives them their technical superiority and individuality. Consequently, it is timely to reflect on the desirable characteristics encoded on lactococcal plasmids. It is argued that plasmids play a key role in the evolution of modern starter strains and are a lot more than just selfish replicosomes but more essential necessities of intensively used commercial starters. Moreover, the study of plasmid biology provides a genetic blueprint that has proved essential for the generation of molecular tools for the genetic improvement of Lactococcus lactis. © 2005 Federation of European Microbiological Societies.

Recommended Citation

Mills, Susan; McAuliffe, Olivia E.; Coffey, Aidan; Fitzgerald, Gerald F.; and Ross, R. Paul, "Plasmids of lactococci-genetic accessories or genetic necessities?" (2006). Department of Biological Sciences Publications [online].
Available at: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1574-6976.2005.00011.x