DNA Backbone Sulfur-Modification Expands Microbial Growth Range under Multiple Stresses by its anti-oxidation function.

ABSTRACT: DNA phosphorothioate (PT) modification is a sulfur modification on the backbone of DNA introduced by the proteins DndA-E. It has been detected within many bacteria isolates and metagenomic datasets, including human pathogens, and is considered to be widely distributed in nature. However, little is known about the physiological function of this modification, and thus its evolutionary significance and application potential remains largely a mystery. In this study, we focused on the advantages of DNA PT modification to bacterial cells coping with environmental stresses. We show that the mesophile Escherichia coli and the extremophile Shewanella piezotolerans both expanded their growth ranges following exposure to extreme temperature, salinity, pH, pressure, UV, X-ray and heavy metals as a res

SUBMITTER: Yang Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5471199 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature