Multifaceted roles of extracellular DNA in bacterial physiology.
In textbooks, DNA is generally defined as the universal storage material for genetic information in all branches of life. Beyond this important intracellular role, DNA can also be present outside of living cells and is an abundant biopolymer in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. The origin of extracellular DNA in such ecological niches is diverse: it can be actively secreted or released by prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells by means of autolysis, apoptosis, necrosis, bacterial secretion systems or found in association with extracellular bacterial membrane vesicles. Especially for bacteria, extracellular DNA represents a significant and convenient element that can be enzymatically modulated and utilized for multiple purposes. Herein, we discuss briefly the main origins of extracellular DNA and the most relevant roles for the bacterial physiology, such as biofilm formation, nutrient source, antimicrobial means and horizontal gene transfer.
Institute of Molecular Biosciences, University of Graz, Humboldtstraße 50, 8010, Graz, Austria.
Dina
D
Vorkapic
Institute of Molecular Biosciences, University of Graz, Humboldtstraße 50, 8010, Graz, Austria.
Katharina
K
Pressler
Institute of Molecular Biosciences, University of Graz, Humboldtstraße 50, 8010, Graz, Austria. stefan.schild@uni-graz.at.
Stefan
S
Schild
D018407:Bacterial Physiological Phenomena; D018441:Biofilms; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D005109:Extracellular Matrix; D005110:Extracellular Space / Q000378:metabolism; D022761:Gene Transfer, Horizontal; D053038:Quorum Sensing
D004269:DNA, Bacterial
Competence; Neutrophil extracellular traps; Nucleoside transporters; Nutrient acquisition; Transition fitness; Virulence