INTRODUCTION OF VIOLACEIN PRODUCING GENES INTO TRICHLOROETHENE-DEGRADING BACTERIA TO AVOID PROTOZOAN PREDATION

Abstract

 Introduction of violacein-producing genes, vioABCDE, to two types of Cupriavidus sp. bacteria, that had strong TCE degradability, were examined to confer antiprotozoal property. The genes of vioABCDE were integrated into chromosome DNA of Cupriavidus sp. bacteria by using a Tn5 transposon vector. Colonies of transconjugants showed violet color due to violacein production. Transconjugants that showed deeper violet color were selected among transconjugants. Two selected transconjugants that derived from each parent strain were shown to avoid predation by a flagellate, Spumella. These transconjugants also maintained their original TCE degradability derived from their parent strain.