Uptake-sequence-independent DNA transformation exists in Neisseria gonorrhoeae.
A DNA transformation dose-response curve of piliated (P+) gonococci with the use of cloned DNA containing a pilE2-cat fusion showed saturation at high and low levels of transforming DNA. At low DNA concentrations, transformation of the P+ strain MS11-A was effectively inhibited by a 1000-fold molar excess of the gonococcal transformation uptake sequence (GCUS). The same molar excess of the GCUS did not inhibit transformation of MS11-A at high DNA concentrations. In MS11-B2, a nonpiliated (P-), pilin-nonproducing, isogenic variant of MS11-A, the GCUS did not inhibit transformation at any level of transforming DNA. These data suggest that two mechanisms of transformation exist in P+ cells: one which utilizes the GCUS and one which does not. In MS11-B2 P- cells, no evidence was found for the presence of the GCUS-dependent mechanism, suggesting that transformation in this background occurs solely by the GCUS-independent mechanism.
Boyle-Vavra
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Northwestern University Medical School, Department of Microbiology-Immunology, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
Seifert
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HS
D001425:Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D015500:Chloramphenicol O-Acetyltransferase / Q000235:genetics; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics*; D004274:DNA, Recombinant; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D036781:Fimbriae Proteins; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000235:genetics; D009344:Neisseria gonorrhoeae / Q000235:genetics*; D018933:Pili, Sex / Q000235:genetics; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics; D014169:Transformation, Bacterial
D001425:Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins; D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D004274:DNA, Recombinant; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D014157:Transcription Factors; C074063:pilE protein, Neisseria gonorrhoeae; C080687:pilS protein, Bacteria; D036781:Fimbriae Proteins; D015500:Chloramphenicol O-Acetyltransferase