Maintenance of species identity and controlling speciation of bacteria: a new function for restriction/modification systems?
Bacteria frequently exchange DNA among each other by horizontal gene transfer. However, maintenance of species identity and in particular speciation requires a certain barrier against an unregulated uptake of foreign DNA. Here it is suggested that formation of such a barrier is one important biological function of restriction/modification systems, in addition to the classical function of protection of bacteria against bacteriophage infection. This model explains the extreme variability and wide distribution of restriction/modification systems among prokaryotes, the prevalence of RM-systems in pathogenic bacteria and the existence of several RM-systems in single bacterial strains.
Jeltsch
Albert
A
Institut für Biochemie, FB 08, Justus-Liebig-Universität, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 58, 35392 Giessen, Germany. Albert.Jeltsch@chemie.bio.uni-giessen.de
D001419:Bacteria / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics*; D015280:DNA Restriction-Modification Enzymes / Q000378:metabolism*; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D022761:Gene Transfer, Horizontal; D013045:Species Specificity
D015280:DNA Restriction-Modification Enzymes; D004269:DNA, Bacterial