« Previous AbstractNatural competence in the genus Streptococcus: evidence that streptococci can change pherotype by interspecies recombinational exchanges    Next AbstractHawkmoths evaluate scenting flowers with the tip of their proboscis »

Mol Microbiol

Title:		Increasing competence in the genus Streptococcus
Author(s):		Havarstein LS;
Address:		"Department of Chemistry, Biotechnology and Food Science, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, N-1432 As, Norway. sigve.havarstein@umb.no"
Journal Title:		Mol Microbiol
Year:		2010
Volume:		78
Issue:		3
Page Number:		541 - 544
DOI:		10.1111/j.1365-2958.2010.07380.x
ISSN/ISBN:		1365-2958 (Electronic) 0950-382X (Linking)
Abstract:		"Streptococcus pneumoniae is one of the most important model organisms for studies on natural genetic transformation in bacteria. The prevalence of this gene exchange mechanism in the genus Streptococcus has not been subjected to systematic investigations, but it has been known for decades that only a few streptococcal species develop the competent state spontaneously when grown under laboratory conditions. The recent discovery of a new mechanism regulating natural transformation in Streptococcus thermophilus suggested that this property might be more widespread among streptococci than previously thought. This suspicion has been confirmed by Mashburn-Warren and co-workers, who in the current issue of Molecular Microbiology report the discovery of a novel competence-inducing pheromone that is conserved in Streptococcus mutans and a number of pyogenic streptococci"
Keywords:		"Bacterial Proteins/genetics/metabolism Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial Pheromones/metabolism Streptococcus/*genetics/metabolism Trans-Activators/genetics/metabolism *Transformation, Bacterial;"
Notes:		"MedlineHavarstein, Leiv Sigve eng Comment Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't England 2010/11/03 Mol Microbiol. 2010 Nov; 78(3):541-4. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2958.2010.07380.x"