Programmed protection of foreign DNA from restriction allows pathogenicity island exchange during pneumococcal transformation

• Published in: PLoS pathogens Vol. 9; no. 2; p. e1003178
• Main Authors: Johnston, Calum, Martin, Bernard, Granadel, Chantal, Polard, Patrice, Claverys, Jean-Pierre
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Public Library of Science 01.02.2013; Public Library of Science (PLoS)
• Subjects: Acquisitions & mergers; Bacteria; Bacterial genetics; Biology; Deoxyribonucleases, Type II Site-Specific - genetics; Deoxyribonucleases, Type II Site-Specific - metabolism; DNA; DNA - genetics; DNA Methylation; DNA Transformation Competence - genetics; Efficiency; Genetic aspects; Genetic transformation; Genomes; Genomic Islands - genetics; Health aspects; Humans; Life Sciences; Microbiology; Microbiology and Parasitology; Mutation; Physiological aspects; Plasmids; Plasmids - genetics; Pneumococcal Infections - genetics; Pneumococcal Infections - microbiology; Site-Specific DNA-Methyltransferase (Adenine-Specific) - genetics; Site-Specific DNA-Methyltransferase (Adenine-Specific) - metabolism; Streptococcus infections; Streptococcus pneumoniae; Streptococcus pneumoniae - genetics; Streptococcus pneumoniae - pathogenicity; Vaccines; France

In bacteria, transformation and restriction-modification (R-M) systems play potentially antagonistic roles. While the former, proposed as a form of sexuality, relies on internalized foreign DNA to create genetic diversity, the latter degrade foreign DNA to protect from bacteriophage attack. The huma...