title: UV-inducible DNA exchange in hyperthermophilic archaea mediated by type IV pili.
abstract: Archaea, like bacteria and eukaryotes, contain proteins involved in various mechanisms of DNA repair, highlighting the importance of these processes for all forms of life. Species of the order Sulfolobales of hyperthermophilic crenarchaeota are equipped with a strongly UV-inducible type IV pilus system that promotes cellular aggregation. Here we demonstrate by fluorescence in situ hybridization that cellular aggregates are formed based on a species-specific recognition process and that UV-induced cellular aggregation mediates chromosomal marker exchange with high frequency. Recombination rates exceeded those of uninduced cultures by up to three orders of magnitude. Knockout strains of Sulfolobus acidocaldarius incapable of pilus production could not self-aggregate, but were partners in mating experiments with wild-type strains indicating that one cellular partner can mediate the DNA transfer. Since pilus knockout strains showed decreased survival upon UV treatment, we conclude that the UV-inducible DNA transfer process and subsequent homologous recombination represents an important mechanism to maintain chromosome integrity in Sulfolobus. It might also contribute substantially to the frequent chromosomal DNA exchange and horizontal gene transfer in these archaea in their natural habitat.
authors: Molecular Microbiology, Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute and Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 7, 9749 AG Groningen, the Netherlands.
authors: Małgorzata
authors: M
authors: Ajon
authors: Sabrina
authors: S
authors: Fröls
authors: Marleen
authors: M
authors: van Wolferen
authors: Kilian
authors: K
authors: Stoecker
authors: Daniela
authors: D
authors: Teichmann
authors: Arnold J M
authors: AJ
authors: Driessen
authors: Dennis W
authors: DW
authors: Grogan
authors: Sonja-Verena
authors: SV
authors: Albers
authors: Christa
authors: C
authors: Schleper
mesh_terms: D001692:Biological Transport; D019641:DNA, Archaeal / Q000378:metabolism*; D022761:Gene Transfer, Horizontal / Q000528:radiation effects*; D017404:In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence; D011995:Recombination, Genetic; D016944:Sulfolobus / Q000235:genetics* / Q000528:radiation effects*
chemical_list: D019641:DNA, Archaeal