Genetic transformation in Streptococcus mutans requires a peptide secretion-like apparatus - PubMed (original) (raw)
Genetic transformation in Streptococcus mutans requires a peptide secretion-like apparatus
F C Petersen et al. Oral Microbiol Immunol. 2000 Oct.
Abstract
Competence for genetic transformation in Streptococcus pneumoniae and Streptococcus gordonii involves the ComAB secretion apparatus, which is thought to export the competence-stimulating peptide. Homologous secretory systems are also used for the export of certain bacteriocins and bacteriocin-like peptides. In this study, a similar secretory apparatus was found in the Streptococcus mutans genome, and its role in transformation was investigated. Gene inactivation resulted in a mutant deficient in transformability. We suggest that secretion of a peptide, possibly the competence-stimulating peptide itself, is involved in competence induction also in S. mutans.
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