TY - JOUR
T1 - A Type IV Pilus Mediates DNA Binding during Natural Transformation in Streptococcus pneumoniae
AU - Laurenceau, Raphaël
AU - Péhau-Arnaudet, Gérard
AU - Baconnais, Sonia
AU - Gault, Joseph
AU - Malosse, Christian
AU - Dujeancourt, Annick
AU - Campo, Nathalie
AU - Chamot-Rooke, Julia
AU - Le Cam, Eric
AU - Claverys, Jean Pierre
AU - Fronzes, Rémi
PY - 2013/6/1
Y1 - 2013/6/1
N2 - Natural genetic transformation is widely distributed in bacteria and generally occurs during a genetically programmed differentiated state called competence. This process promotes genome plasticity and adaptability in Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. Transformation requires the binding and internalization of exogenous DNA, the mechanisms of which are unclear. Here, we report the discovery of a transformation pilus at the surface of competent Streptococcus pneumoniae cells. This Type IV-like pilus, which is primarily composed of the ComGC pilin, is required for transformation. We provide evidence that it directly binds DNA and propose that the transformation pilus is the primary DNA receptor on the bacterial cell during transformation in S. pneumoniae. Being a central component of the transformation apparatus, the transformation pilus enables S. pneumoniae, a major Gram-positive human pathogen, to acquire resistance to antibiotics and to escape vaccines through the binding and incorporation of new genetic material.
AB - Natural genetic transformation is widely distributed in bacteria and generally occurs during a genetically programmed differentiated state called competence. This process promotes genome plasticity and adaptability in Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. Transformation requires the binding and internalization of exogenous DNA, the mechanisms of which are unclear. Here, we report the discovery of a transformation pilus at the surface of competent Streptococcus pneumoniae cells. This Type IV-like pilus, which is primarily composed of the ComGC pilin, is required for transformation. We provide evidence that it directly binds DNA and propose that the transformation pilus is the primary DNA receptor on the bacterial cell during transformation in S. pneumoniae. Being a central component of the transformation apparatus, the transformation pilus enables S. pneumoniae, a major Gram-positive human pathogen, to acquire resistance to antibiotics and to escape vaccines through the binding and incorporation of new genetic material.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84879515523&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1371/journal.ppat.1003473
DO - 10.1371/journal.ppat.1003473
M3 - Article
C2 - 23825953
AN - SCOPUS:84879515523
SN - 1553-7366
VL - 9
JO - PLoS Pathogens
JF - PLoS Pathogens
IS - 6
M1 - e1003473
ER -