An improved method for lysis of Frankia with acharomopeptidase allows detection of new plasmids

An enzyme recently described for Strepiomyces sp. protoplast formation was used to digest Frankia sp. cell walls. This new enzyme, achromopeptidase, allowed the use of an in situ method to detect large plasmids. Plasmids ranging in size from 7 to 190 kilobases were detected in some Frankia strains.