The molecular basis for DNA-binding by competence T4P is distinct in a representative Gram-positive and Gram-negative species.

ABSTRACT: Competence type IV pili (T4P) are bacterial surface appendages that facilitate DNA uptake during horizontal gene transfer by natural transformation. These dynamic structures actively extend from the cell surface, bind to DNA in the environment, and then retract to import bound DNA into the cell. Competence T4P are found in diverse Gram-negative (diderm) and Gram-positive (monoderm) bacterial species. While the mechanism of DNA-binding by diderm competence T4P has been the recent focus of intensive study, relatively little is known about DNA-binding by monoderm competence T4P. Here, we use Streptococcus pneumoniae as a model system to address this question. Competence T4P likely bind to DNA via a tip-associated complex of proteins called minor pilins, and recent work highlights a high degre

SUBMITTER: Christman ND 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12040237 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature