Transfer of transposon Tn916 from Bacillus subtilis into a natural soil population

Horizontal transfer of the Tn916 gene, which includes a gene that codes for tetracycline resistance in soil populations, was investigated using Bacillus subtilis as the vector. The percentage of tetracycline-resistant organisms in the experimental soils significantly increased, reaching up to 60% after the fourth day. All recipients were identified as actinomycetes, including three genera, namely, Streptomyces, Actinomadura and Kineosporia. These actinomycetes have not previously been reported to be Tn916 recipients.