title: Streptococcus pneumoniae, le transformiste.
abstract: Streptococcus pneumoniae (the pneumococcus) is an important human pathogen. Natural genetic transformation, which was discovered in this species, involves internalization of exogenous single-stranded DNA and its incorporation into the chromosome. It allows acquisition of pathogenicity islands and antibiotic resistance and promotes vaccine escape via capsule switching. This opinion article discusses how recent advances regarding several facets of pneumococcal transformation support the view that the process has evolved to maximize plasticity potential in this species, making the pneumococcus le transformiste of the bacterial kingdom and providing an advantage in the constant struggle between this pathogen and its host.
authors: Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, LMGM-UMR5100, F-31000 Toulouse, France; Université de Toulouse, UPS, Laboratoire de Microbiologie et Génétique Moléculaires, F-31000 Toulouse, France.
authors: Calum
authors: C
authors: Johnston
authors: Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, LMGM-UMR5100, F-31000 Toulouse, France; Université de Toulouse, UPS, Laboratoire de Microbiologie et Génétique Moléculaires, F-31000 Toulouse, France.
authors: Nathalie
authors: N
authors: Campo
authors: Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, LMGM-UMR5100, F-31000 Toulouse, France; Université de Toulouse, UPS, Laboratoire de Microbiologie et Génétique Moléculaires, F-31000 Toulouse, France.
authors: Matthieu J
authors: MJ
authors: Bergé
authors: Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, LMGM-UMR5100, F-31000 Toulouse, France; Université de Toulouse, UPS, Laboratoire de Microbiologie et Génétique Moléculaires, F-31000 Toulouse, France.
authors: Patrice
authors: P
authors: Polard
authors: Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, LMGM-UMR5100, F-31000 Toulouse, France; Université de Toulouse, UPS, Laboratoire de Microbiologie et Génétique Moléculaires, F-31000 Toulouse, France. Electronic address: claverys@biotoul.fr.
authors: Jean-Pierre
authors: JP
authors: Claverys
mesh_terms: D000220:Adaptation, Biological; D022761:Gene Transfer, Horizontal; D013296:Streptococcus pneumoniae / Q000235:genetics*; D014169:Transformation, Bacterial
keywords: DNA uptake; Streptococcus pneumoniae; competence; genetic exchange; natural transformation