Cloning vectors, derived from a naturally occurring plasmid of Pseudomonas savastanoi, specifically tailored for genetic manipulations in Pseudomonas.

A minimal replicon of 1.8 kb isolated from a 10-kb plasmid of Pseudomonas savastanoi, pPS10, has been used to obtain a collection of small vectors specific for Pseudomonas (P. savastanoi, P. aeruginosa and P.putida). In addition, shuttle vectors that can be established both in Pseudomonas and Escherichia coli have been constructed by adding a pMB9 replicon. The vectors permit cloning of DNA fragments generated by a variety of restriction enzymes using different antibiotic resistance markers for selection and offer the possibility to screen recombinants by insertional inactivation. This cloning system can be used to establish recombinant plasmids in Pseudomonas either at low or high copy number. pPS10 derivatives are compatible with other Pseudomonas vectors derived from broad-host-range replicons of the incompatibility groups P1, P4/Q and W. Introduction and expression of the iaaMH operon in a P. savastanoi mutant deficient in the production of indoleacetic acid has been achieved using one of these vectors.