Different Effects of MglA and MglB on Pilus-mediated Functions and Natural Competence in Thermus Thermophilus

Overview

Journal Extremophiles

Publisher Springer

Date 2014 Dec 5

PMID 25472010

Citations 7

Authors

Ralf Salzer

Friederike Joos

Beate Averhoff

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

The thermophilic bacterium Thermus thermophilus is known for its high natural competence. Uptake of DNA is mediated by a DNA translocator that shares components with type IV pili. Localization and function of type IV pili in other bacteria depend on the cellular localization at the poles of the bacterium, a process that involves MglA and MglB. T. thermophilus contains homologs of MglA and MglB. The genes encoding MglA and MglB were deleted and the physiology of the mutants was studied. Deletion of the genes individually or in tandem had no effect on pili formation but pili lost their localization at the poles. The mutants abolished pilus-mediated functions such as twitching motility and adherence but had no effect on uptake of DNA by natural competence. These data demonstrate that MglA and MglB are dispensable for natural transformation and are consistent with the hypothesis that uptake of DNA does not depend on type IV pili or their cellular localization.

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