A DNase encoded by integrated element CJIE1 inhibits natural transformation of Campylobacter jejuni.

ABSTRACT: The species Campylobacter jejuni is considered naturally competent for DNA uptake and displays strong genetic diversity. Nevertheless, nonnaturally transformable strains and several relatively stable clonal lineages exist. In the present study, the molecular mechanism responsible for the nonnatural transformability of a subset of C. jejuni strains was investigated. Comparative genome hybridization indicated that C. jejuni Mu-like prophage integrated element 1 (CJIE1) was more abundant in nonnaturally transformable C. jejuni strains than in naturally transformable strains. Analysis of CJIE1 indicated the presence of dns (CJE0256), which is annotated as a gene encoding an extracellular DNase. DNase assays using a defined dns mutant and a dns-negative strain expressing Dns from a plasmid indi

SUBMITTER: Gaasbeek EJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2655492 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature