ComI inhibits transformation inBacillus subtilisby selectively killing competent cells

• DOI: 10.1101/2024.02.02.578676
• Publication Date: 2024-02-04T05:15:11Z
• Authors: Dominique R. Smith; Daniel B. Kearns; Briana M. Burton
• Keywords: Bacillus (shape)

Many bacteria build elaborate molecular machines to import DNA via natural competence, yet this activity is often not identified until strains have been handled and domesticated in laboratory settings. For example, one of the best studied Gram-positive model organisms, Bacillus subtilis, has a non-transformable ancestor. Transformation ancestral strain inhibited by transmembrane peptide, ComI, which encoded on an extrachromosomal plasmid. Although ComI was shown be necessary sufficient inhibit transformation when produced at high levels under inducible promoter, mechanism inhibits unknown. Here, we examine native regulation inhibition ComI. We find that regulation, expression restricted absence In presence plasmid, preferentially expressed cells are differentiating into competent state. The subcellular localization however, does depend any other competence proteins permeabilization concentration dependent. Thus over time, gradually producing permeabilized killed. Based these observations propose new for suggesting response activation selectively eliminates subpopulation.