title: Natural transformation of Pseudomonas stutzeri by single-stranded DNA requires type IV pili, competence state and comA.
abstract: Pseudomonas stutzeri, in addition to being transformed by duplex DNA, is also transformed by the sense or antisense strand of the genetic marker employed (hisX(+)) or by heat-denatured chromosomal DNA. Transformation was absent in non-competent cells and in mutants defective for pilus biogenesis (pilA, pilC) and function (pilT) or DNA translocation into the cytoplasm (comA). Uptake of (3)H-thymidine-labeled single-stranded DNA was hardly detectable reflecting the 20- to 60-fold lower transformation compared to duplex DNA. The results suggest that the steps in natural transformation also accommodate single-stranded DNA and that DNA translocation from the periplasm into the cytoplasm is not necessarily coupled to the degradation of a complementary strand. Small DNA single-stranded fragments are thus not excluded from horizontal gene transfer by transformation.
authors.affiliation: Genetik, Fachbereich Biologie, Universität Oldenburg, D-26111, Oldenburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Petra
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Meier
authors.forename: Cecilia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Berndt
authors.forename: Nicole
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Weger
authors.forename: Wilfried
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Wackernagel
mesh_terms: D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics; D004277:DNA, Single-Stranded / Q000235:genetics*; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D010861:Fimbriae, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D009154:Mutation; D011549:Pseudomonas / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism; D014169:Transformation, Bacterial
chemical_list: D001426:Bacterial Proteins; C061262:ComA protein, Bacteria; D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D004277:DNA, Single-Stranded; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins