A CRISPR interference screen reveals a role for cell wall teichoic acids in conjugation in Bacillus subtilis.

ABSTRACT: Conjugative elements are widespread in bacteria and include plasmids and integrative and conjugative elements (ICEs). They transfer from donor to recipient cells via an element-encoded type IV secretion system. These elements interact with and utilize host functions for their lifecycles. We sought to identify essential host genes involved in the lifecycle of the integrative and conjugative element ICEBs1 of Bacillus subtilis. We constructed a library of strains for inducible knockdown of essential B. subtilis genes using CRISPR interference. Each strain expressed one guide RNA in ICEBs1. We induced partial interference of essential genes and identified those that caused an acute defect in acquisition of ICEBs1 by recipient cells. This screen revealed that reducing expression of genes neede

SUBMITTER: Harden MM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9324163 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature