The Alternative Sigma Factor SigX Controls Bacteriocin Synthesis and Competence, the Two Quorum Sensing Regulated Traits in

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Streptococcus mutans is a bacterium of the human dental plaque that contributes to caries development. It controls two important survival mechanisms via a cell-density dependent communication system (quorum sensing): The synthesis of peptide antibiotics, and of a membrane apparatus for genetic competence, i.e. the ability to take up external DNA and integrate it into its own genome. S. mutans synthesizes two different signalling peptides to this end. It has remained elusive, how exactly these signals are propagated within the cell and why only a fraction of the population becomes competent. To actually observe under the microscope which bacterium in the population is activated, and which genes are required for the activation, we constructed strains of S. mutans that reported on the transcription of a gene by starting to fluoresce green. We even constructed strains that reported on two genes simultaneously, by fluorescing either green or blue or both. With these tools, and by additionally knocking out or modifying key genes as needed, we investigated the complete signaling cascade under various conditions. Thus we discovered a central regulatory switch. S. mutans makes sure that external DNA is available when it becomes genetically competent–by killing cells in the environment.

Vyšlo v časopise: The Alternative Sigma Factor SigX Controls Bacteriocin Synthesis and Competence, the Two Quorum Sensing Regulated Traits in. PLoS Genet 11(7): e32767. doi:10.1371/journal.pgen.1005353
Kategorie: Research Article
prolekare.web.journal.doi_sk: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pgen.1005353

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