Ubiquitous late competence genes in Bacillus species indicate the presence of functional DNA uptake machineries.
Natural competence for genetic transformation, i.e. the ability to take up DNA and stably integrate it in the genome, has so far only been observed in the bacterial kingdom (both in gram-negative and gram-positive species) and may contribute to survival under adverse growth conditions. Bacillus subtilis, the model organism for the Bacillus genus, possesses a well-characterized competence machinery. Phylogenetic analysis of several genome sequences of different Bacillus species reveals the presence of many, but not all genes potentially involved in competence and its regulation. The recent demonstration of functional DNA uptake by B. cereus supports the significance of our genome analyses and shows that the ability for functional DNA uptake might be widespread among Bacilli.
Kovács
Akos T
AT
Department of Genetics, Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute, University of Groningen, 9751 NN Haren, The Netherlands.
Smits
Wiep Klaas
WK
Mirończuk
Aleksandra M
AM
Kuipers
Oscar P
OP
D001407:Bacillus / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D001412:Bacillus subtilis / Q000235:genetics; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000378:metabolism*; D015964:Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial; D005798:Genes, Bacterial; D006090:Gram-Negative Bacteria / Q000378:metabolism; D006094:Gram-Positive Bacteria / Q000378:metabolism; D010802:Phylogeny; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000378:metabolism; D014169:Transformation, Bacterial
D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D014157:Transcription Factors; C087449:comK protein, Bacillus subtilis