Bacterial "competence" genes: signatures of active transformation, or only remnants?
An exhaustive review published ten years ago reported natural genetic transformation, a potential mechanism for intra- and interspecies gene transfer, in approximately 40 species belonging to different taxonomic and trophic groups. Since then, considerable progress has been made in characterizing DNA-uptake machineries and regulatory circuits controlling their expression in cells competent for genetic transformation. In this article, in light of the recent description of a Group A streptococcal isolate capable of DNA transfer in mixed cultures, we discuss whether the detection in completely sequenced microbial genomes of intact homologues of key competence-regulatory and/or DNA-uptake proteins enables the prediction of new transformable species.
Claverys
Jean-Pierre
JP
Laboratoire de Microbiologie et Génétique Moléculaires, UMR 5100 CNRS-Université Paul Sabatier, 118 route de Narbonne, 31062 Toulouse Cedex, France. claverys@ibcg.biotoul.fr
Martin
Bernard
B
D001419:Bacteria / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000378:metabolism*; D005798:Genes, Bacterial / Q000502:physiology*; D014169:Transformation, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*
D004269:DNA, Bacterial