Analysis of two theta-replicating plasmids of Streptococcus thermophilus

We report the characterization of two new theta-replicating plasmids of Streptococcus thermophilus (pSMQ-312b and pSMQ-316) as well as the further analysis of pSMQ-308. The nucleotide sequences of pSMQ-312b and pSMQ-316 were determined and both contained 6710 bp. In fact, the two sequences were identical, despite that the plasmids were isolated from two different S. thermophilus strains as demonstrated by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. Comparative analyses indicated that the two plasmids were highly related to the previously characterized S. thermophilus plasmid pSMQ-308 (8144 bp). Plasmid stability tests showed that pSMQ-312b/316 was more stable in LM17 medium while pSMQ-308 was the most stable in milk. The presence of the plasmids did not modify the acidification profile of the S. thermophilus strains during growth in milk and under time–temperature conditions mimicking an industrial process. These theta-replicating plasmids are unique genetic material for the construction of stable cloning vectors for industrially relevant strains of S. thermophilus.