SbcB facilitates natural transformation in <i>Vibrio cholerae</i> in an exonuclease-independent manner.

ABSTRACT: Natural transformation (NT) is a conserved mechanism of horizontal gene transfer in bacterial species. During this process, DNA is taken up into the cytoplasm where it can be integrated into the host genome by homologous recombination. We have previously shown that some cytoplasmic exonucleases inhibit NT by degrading ingested DNA prior to its successful recombination. However, one exonuclease, SbcB, counterintuitively promotes NT in Vibrio cholerae. Here, through a systematic analysis of the distinct steps of NT, we show that SbcB acts downstream of DNA uptake into the cytoplasm, but upstream of recombinational branch migration. Through mutational analysis, we show that SbcB promotes NT in a manner that does not rely on its exonuclease activity. Finally, we provide genetic evidence

SUBMITTER: Dalia TN 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11784430 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature