On Mon, 9 Oct 1995, Steven Sanyal wrote:
> Most plasmids I have come across thus far have dealt with antibiotic
> resistance genes - used for selections. Did these genes evolve only
> since the advent of antibiotics this century, or is it believed that they
> existed before? ie: were their natural antibiotic agents that existed
> before - a sort of interbacterial warfare.
Yes, antibiotics are produced by other microorganisms. I believe
antibiotic resistance genes were originally produced by many soil
microorganisms. Carlos Amabile-Cuevas(sp?) has written some excellent books
and articles on the subject.
OK BYE,
WB Wakeman
