Figure 1

Rationale behind the design of reduced-genome derivatives of P . putida KT2440. Strains EM329 and EM383 were constructed using the seamless deletion system described by Martínez-García and de Lorenzo [20]. Note that while strain EM329 only lacks the genes encoding flagellar genes [23], the multiple deletions in strain EM383 were designed to endow the bacterium with the properties of a true microbial platform for a variety of applications. The relative physical location of the genes eliminated in the chromosome of P. putida KT2440 are indicated with slanted arrowheads and the percentage of the genome deleted is shown in each case. The red arrowhead represents the chromosomal location of the flagellar genes (deleted in strain EM329), while the orange arrowheads indicate the genes and gene clusters eliminated in strain EM383.