Direct involvement of DprA, the transformation-dedicated RecA loader, in the shut-off of pneumococcal competence.
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A
; 110(11): E1035-44, 2013 Mar 12.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-23440217
ABSTRACT
Natural bacterial transformation is a genetically programmed process allowing genotype alterations that involves the internalization of DNA and its chromosomal integration catalyzed by the universal recombinase RecA, assisted by its transformation-dedicated loader, DNA processing protein A (DprA). In Streptococcus pneumoniae, the ability to internalize DNA, known as competence, is transient, developing suddenly and stopping as quickly. Competence is induced by the comC-encoded peptide, competence stimulating peptide (CSP), via a classic two-component regulatory system ComDE. Upon CSP binding, ComD phosphorylates the ComE response-regulator, which then activates transcription of comCDE and the competence-specific σ(X), leading to a sudden rise in CSP levels and rendering all cells in a culture competent. However, how competence stops has remained unknown. We report that DprA, under σ(X) control, interacts with ComEâ¼P to block ComE-driven transcription, chiefly impacting σ(X) production. Mutations of dprA specifically disrupting interaction with ComE were isolated and shown to map mainly to the N-terminal domain of DprA. Wild-type DprA but not ComE interaction mutants affected in vitro binding of ComE to its promoter targets. Once introduced at the dprA chromosomal locus, mutations disrupting DprA interaction with ComE altered competence shut-off. The absence of DprA was found to negatively impact growth following competence induction, highlighting the importance of DprA for pneumococcal physiology. DprA has thus two key roles ensuring production of transformants via interaction with RecA and competence shut-off via interaction with ComE, avoiding physiologically detrimental consequences of prolonged competence. Finally, phylogenetic analyses revealed that the acquisition of a new function by DprA impacted its evolution in streptococci relying on ComE to regulate comX expression.
Texto completo:
1
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Recombinases Rec A
/
Streptococcus pneumoniae
/
Proteínas de Bactérias
/
Competência de Transformação por DNA
/
Proteínas de Membrana
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2013
Tipo de documento:
Article