title: Specific DNA recognition mediated by a type IV pilin.
abstract: Natural transformation is a dominant force in bacterial evolution by promoting horizontal gene transfer. This process may have devastating consequences, such as the spread of antibiotic resistance or the emergence of highly virulent clones. However, uptake and recombination of foreign DNA are most often deleterious to competent species. Therefore, model naturally transformable gram-negative bacteria, including the human pathogen Neisseria meningitidis, have evolved means to preferentially take up homotypic DNA containing short and genus-specific sequence motifs. Despite decades of intense investigations, the DNA uptake sequence receptor in Neisseria species has remained elusive. We show here, using a multidisciplinary approach combining biochemistry, molecular genetics, and structural biology, that meningococcal type IV pili bind DNA through the minor pilin ComP via an electropositive stripe that is predicted to be exposed on the filaments surface and that ComP displays an exquisite binding preference for DNA uptake sequence. Our findings illuminate the earliest step in natural transformation, reveal an unconventional mechanism for DNA binding, and suggest that selective DNA uptake is more widespread than previously thought.
authors: Medical Research Council Centre for Molecular Bacteriology and Infection, Section of Microbiology, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom.
authors: Ana
authors: A
authors: Cehovin
authors: Peter J
authors: PJ
authors: Simpson
authors: Melanie A
authors: MA
authors: McDowell
authors: Daniel R
authors: DR
authors: Brown
authors: Rossella
authors: R
authors: Noschese
authors: Mitchell
authors: M
authors: Pallett
authors: Jacob
authors: J
authors: Brady
authors: Geoffrey S
authors: GS
authors: Baldwin
authors: Susan M
authors: SM
authors: Lea
authors: Stephen J
authors: SJ
authors: Matthews
authors: Vladimir
authors: V
authors: Pelicic
mesh_terms: D015153:Blotting, Western; D002846:Chromatography, Affinity; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000378:metabolism*; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D036781:Fimbriae Proteins / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism*; D009345:Neisseria meningitidis / Q000235:genetics*; D019906:Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, Biomolecular; D011485:Protein Binding
chemical_list: D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D036781:Fimbriae Proteins
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