RP4 plasmid (also known as RK2, RP1, and the Birmingham plasmid) stands not only as a model of bacterial conjugation studied over the past 40 years, but also as one of the most conspicuous, broad-host range conjugative plasmids described in the literature. It mediates mating and plasmid transfer between a wide variety of Gram– donors/recipients (8) and is also capable of efficiently conjugating with Gram+, (9) yeast (10,11) and mammalian cells. (12)

Pauvres pigeons, si faciles à plumer avec leur cerveau de piaf. L’Homme ne se laisserait jamais berner si aisément. Vraiment ?

RP4 has been shown to exhibit a very broad host range and has been demonstrated to efficiently transfer in activated sludge (22, 40), chicken manure (24), and the rhizospheres of various plants (38, 39).