Genetic map of Rhizobium meliloti megaplasmid pRmeSU47b

A circular linkage map of the Rhizobium meliloti megaplasmid pRmeSU47b was constructed. The map consists of transposon insertions carrying alternating antibiotic resistance markers linked by phi M12 transduction. Data from conjugation experiments utilizing donor strains carrying Tn5-oriT insertions in the megaplasmid supported the proposed genetic map. In addition, the positions of previously identified Fix, exopolysaccharide synthetic, thiamine synthetic, and C4-dicarboxylate transport loci on the megaplasmid map were determined. By converting cotransduction frequencies to physical distance, we calculated the replicon to be 1,600 kilobases in size, which compares favorably with previous physical estimates.