The <scp>T</scp>hermus thermophilus <scp>comEA</scp>/<scp>comEC</scp> operon is associated with <scp>DNA</scp> binding and regulation of the <scp>DNA</scp> translocator and type <scp>IV</scp> pili

Salzer, Ralf; Kern, Timo; Joos, Friederike; Averhoff, Beate

doi:10.1111/1462-2920.12820

Cited by 27 publications

(24 citation statements)

References 52 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Double stranded DNA further binds to the inner membrane protein ComEA. An inner membrane channel protein, ComEC (co-transcribed along with ComEA) has recently been shown to modulate the expression of PilA4 and PilN in relation to environmental cues like nutrient limitation and low temperature (Salzer et al, 2016). The DNA passing through the IM is single stranded DNA.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Complete Genome Analysis of Thermus parvatiensis and Comparative Genomics of Thermus spp. Provide Insights into Genetic Variability and Evolution of Natural Competence as Strategic Survival Attributes

et al. 2017

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Thermophilic environments represent an interesting niche. Among thermophiles, the genus Thermus is among the most studied genera. In this study, we have sequenced the genome of Thermus parvatiensis strain RL, a thermophile isolated from Himalayan hot water springs (temperature >96°C) using PacBio RSII SMRT technique. The small genome (2.01 Mbp) comprises a chromosome (1.87 Mbp) and a plasmid (143 Kbp), designated in this study as pTP143. Annotation revealed a high number of repair genes, a squeezed genome but containing highly plastic plasmid with transposases, integrases, mobile elements and hypothetical proteins (44%). We performed a comparative genomic study of the group Thermus with an aim of analysing the phylogenetic relatedness as well as niche specific attributes prevalent among the group. We compared the reference genome RL with 16 Thermus genomes to assess their phylogenetic relationships based on 16S rRNA gene sequences, average nucleotide identity (ANI), conserved marker genes (31 and 400), pan genome and tetranucleotide frequency. The core genome of the analyzed genomes contained 1,177 core genes and many singleton genes were detected in individual genomes, reflecting a conserved core but adaptive pan repertoire. We demonstrated the presence of metagenomic islands (chromosome:5, plasmid:5) by recruiting raw metagenomic data (from the same niche) against the genomic replicons of T. parvatiensis. We also dissected the CRISPR loci wide all genomes and found widespread presence of this system across Thermus genomes. Additionally, we performed a comparative analysis of competence loci wide Thermus genomes and found evidence for recent horizontal acquisition of the locus and continued dispersal among members reflecting that natural competence is a beneficial survival trait among Thermus members and its acquisition depicts unending evolution in order to accomplish optimal fitness.

show abstract

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Complete Genome Analysis of Thermus parvatiensis and Comparative Genomics of Thermus spp. Provide Insights into Genetic Variability and Evolution of Natural Competence as Strategic Survival Attributes

et al. 2017

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…The first group includes the highly conserved competence proteins ComEA, ComEC and DprR proteins. ComEA was found to bind double-stranded DNA (dsDNA), thereby contributing to the transport of eDNA through the OM (Salzer et al, 2016b).…”

Section: Natural Competencementioning

confidence: 99%

Horizontal Gene Transfer in Thermus spp.

Blesa¹,

Averhoff²,

Berenguer³

2018

Current Issues in Molecular Biology

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The small amount of genetic content in thermophiles generally limits their adaptability to environmental changes. In Thermus spp., very active horizontal gene transfer (HGT) mechanisms allow the rapid spread of strain-specific adaptive gene modules among the entire population. Constitutive expression of a rather particular and highly efficient DNA transport apparatus (DTA) is at the center of this HGT-mediated enhanced adaptability. The function of the DTA is dependent on the integrity and longevity of the extracellular DNA (eDNA) being transformed, which can be improved by the production of extracellular vesicles (EV) through lysis of a fraction of the population. The DTA must also contend with the recipient cell's defensive barriers, namely restriction enzymes, a panoply of CRISPR-Cas systems, and the argonaute-like protein TtAgo, which may be bypassed by transjugation, a new class of bidirectional transformation-dependent conjugation. Efficient transjugation depends on the presence of the ICETh1, an integrative and conjugative element which promotes simultaneous, generalized DNA transfer from several points in the genome. Transjugation shows preference for genes located within a megaplasmid replicon, where the main strain-specific adaptive modules are located. Contribution of transformation, vesicle-mediated eDNAs, and transjugation to HGT in this genus is discussed.

show abstract

“…In addition, the membrane proteins PilC, PilN, and PilO and the soluble but membrane‐associated protein PilM are essential for the functionality and/or biogenesis of the DNA transporter and T4P . Apart from that, the inner membrane base also provides the translocation machinery for the single‐stranded DNA that is bound in the periplasm by a membrane‐anchored DNA binding protein designated ComEA . Transport through the inner membrane is suggested to be mediated by an inner membrane channel formed by ComEC .…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

The traffic ATPase PilF interacts with the inner membrane platform of the DNA translocator and type IV pili from Thermus thermophilus

2018

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

A major driving force for the adaptation of bacteria to changing environments is the uptake of naked DNA from the environment by natural transformation, which allows the acquisition of new capabilities. Uptake of the high molecular weight DNA is mediated by a complex transport machinery that spans the entire cell periphery. This DNA translocator catalyzes the binding and splitting of double‐stranded DNA and translocation of single‐stranded DNA into the cytoplasm, where it is recombined with the chromosome. The thermophilic bacterium Thermus thermophilus exhibits the highest transformation frequencies reported and is a model system to analyze the structure and function of this macromolecular transport machinery. Transport activity is powered by the traffic ATPase PilF, a soluble protein that forms hexameric complexes. Here, we demonstrate that PilF physically binds to an inner membrane assembly platform of the DNA translocator, comprising PilMNO, via the ATP‐binding protein PilM. Binding to PilMNO or PilMN stimulates the ATPase activity of PilF ~ 2‐fold, whereas there is no stimulation when binding to PilM or PilN alone. A PilM K26A variant defective in ATP binding still binds PilF and, together with PilN, stimulates PilF‐mediated ATPase activity. PilF is unique in having three conserved GSPII (general secretory pathway II) domains (A–C) at its N terminus. Deletion analyses revealed that none of the GSPII domains is essential for binding PilMN, but GSPIIC is essential for PilMN‐mediated stimulation of ATP hydrolysis by PilF. Our data suggest that PilM is a coupling protein that physically and functionally connects the soluble motor ATPase PilF to the DNA translocator via the PilMNO assembly platform.

show abstract

The Thermus thermophilus comEA/comEC operon is associated with DNA binding and regulation of the DNA translocator and type IV pili

Cited by 27 publications

References 52 publications

Complete Genome Analysis of Thermus parvatiensis and Comparative Genomics of Thermus spp. Provide Insights into Genetic Variability and Evolution of Natural Competence as Strategic Survival Attributes

Complete Genome Analysis of Thermus parvatiensis and Comparative Genomics of Thermus spp. Provide Insights into Genetic Variability and Evolution of Natural Competence as Strategic Survival Attributes

Horizontal Gene Transfer in Thermus spp.

The traffic ATPase PilF interacts with the inner membrane platform of the DNA translocator and type IV pili from Thermus thermophilus

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About