Natural transformation of Pseudomonas stutzeri by single-stranded DNA requires type IV pili, competence state and comA.
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.
Meier
Petra
P
Genetik, Fachbereich Biologie, Universität Oldenburg, D-26111, Oldenburg, Germany.
Berndt
Cecilia
C
Weger
Nicole
N
Wackernagel
Wilfried
W
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
D001426:Bacterial Proteins; C061262:ComA protein, Bacteria; D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D004277:DNA, Single-Stranded; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins