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 PMID:29722872  

ComM is a hexameric helicase that promotes branch migration during natural transformation in diverse Gram-negative species.

Thomas M Nero | Triana N Dalia | Joseph Che-Yen Wang | David T Kysela | Matthew L Bochman | Ankur B Dalia
Nucleic acids research | 2018

Acquisition of foreign DNA by natural transformation is an important mechanism of adaptation and evolution in diverse microbial species. Here, we characterize the mechanism of ComM, a broadly conserved AAA+ protein previously implicated in homologous recombination of transforming DNA (tDNA) in naturally competent Gram-negative bacterial species. In vivo, we found that ComM was required for efficient comigration of linked genetic markers in Vibrio cholerae and Acinetobacter baylyi, which is consistent with a role in branch migration. Also, ComM was particularly important for integration of tDNA with increased sequence heterology, suggesting that its activity promotes the acquisition of novel DNA sequences. In vitro, we showed that purified ComM binds ssDNA, oligomerizes into a hexameric ring, and has bidirectional helicase and branch migration activity. Based on these data, we propose a model for tDNA integration during natural transformation. This study provides mechanistic insight into the enigmatic steps involved in tDNA integration and uncovers the function of a protein required for this conserved mechanism of horizontal gene transfer.

Pubmed ID: 29722872

Research resources used in this publication

None found

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Associated grants

  • Agency: NIAID NIH HHS, United States
    Id: K22 AI118863
  • Agency: NIGMS NIH HHS, United States
    Id: R01 GM113121
  • Agency: NIGMS NIH HHS, United States
    Id: R35 GM128674

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