The activation and limitation of the bacterial natural transformation system: The function in genome evolution and stability

Mi Huang; Mafeng Liu; Li Huang; Mingshu Wang; Renyong Jia; Dekang Zhu; Shun Chen; Xinxin Zhao; Shaqiu Zhang; Qun Gao; Ling Zhang; Anchun Cheng

doi:10.1016/j.micres.2021.126856

The activation and limitation of the bacterial natural transformation system: The function in genome evolution and stability

Microbiol Res. 2021 Nov:252:126856. doi: 10.1016/j.micres.2021.126856. Epub 2021 Aug 24.

Authors

Mi Huang¹, Mafeng Liu¹, Li Huang¹, Mingshu Wang¹, Renyong Jia¹, Dekang Zhu¹, Shun Chen¹, Xinxin Zhao¹, Shaqiu Zhang¹, Qun Gao¹, Ling Zhang¹, Anchun Cheng²

Affiliations

¹ Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 611130, PR China; Research Centre of Avian Disease, College of Veterinary Medicine of Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 611130, PR China; Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, Sichuan, 611130, PR China.
² Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 611130, PR China; Research Centre of Avian Disease, College of Veterinary Medicine of Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 611130, PR China; Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, Sichuan, 611130, PR China. Electronic address: chenganchun@vip.163.com.

PMID: 34454311
DOI: 10.1016/j.micres.2021.126856

Abstract

Bacteria can take up exogenous naked DNA and integrate it into their genomes, which has been regarded as a main contributor to bacterial evolution. The competent status of bacteria is influenced by environmental cues and by the immune systems of bacteria. Here, we review recent advances in understanding the working mechanisms underlying activation of the natural transformation system and limitations thereof. Environmental stresses including the presence of antimicrobials can activate the natural transformation system. However, bacterial enzymes (nucleases), non-coding RNAs, specific DNA sequences, the restriction-modification (R-M) systems, CRISPR-Cas systems and prokaryotic Argonaute proteins (Agos) are have been found to be involved in the limitation of the natural transformation system. Together, this review represents an opportunity to gain insight into bacterial genome stability and evolution.

Keywords: Agos; CRISPR-Cas; Natural transformation; Non-coding RNA; Nuclease; R–M systems.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Bacteria / genetics
Evolution, Molecular*
Genome, Bacterial* / genetics
Transformation, Bacterial* / genetics