Competence for genetic transformation in encapsulated strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae: two allelic variants of the peptide pheromone

J Bacteriol. 1996 Oct;178(20):6087-90. doi: 10.1128/jb.178.20.6087-6090.1996.

Abstract

The nucleotide sequence of comC, the gene encoding the 17-residue competence-stimulating peptide (CSP) of Streptococcus pneumoniae (L. S. Havarstein, G. Coomaraswamy, and D. A. Morrison, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 92:11140-11144, 1995) was determined with 42 encapsulated strains of different serotypes. A new allele, comC2, was found in 13 strains, including the type 3 Avery strain, A66, while all others carried a gene (now termed comC1) identical to that originally described for strain Rx1. The predicted mature product of comC2 is also a heptadecapeptide but differs from that of comC1 at eight residues. Both CSP-1 and CSP-2 synthetic peptides were used to induce competence in the 42 strains; 48% of the strains became competent after the addition of the synthetic peptide, whereas none were transformable without the added peptides.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Alleles
  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Bacterial Capsules
  • Bacterial Proteins / genetics*
  • Base Sequence
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics*
  • Genetic Variation*
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Pheromones / genetics*
  • Sequence Homology
  • Species Specificity
  • Streptococcus pneumoniae / genetics*
  • Transformation, Genetic*

Substances

  • Bacterial Proteins
  • ComA protein, Bacteria
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Pheromones

Associated data

  • GENBANK/X95385