Open AccessUnveiling electrotransformation of Moraxella catarrhalis as a process of natural transformation
Author(s) -
Meier Patricia Stutzmann,
Troller Rolf,
Heiniger Nadja,
Hays John P.,
Van Belkum Alex,
Aebi Christoph
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
fems microbiology letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.899
H-Index - 151
eISSN - 1574-6968
pISSN - 0378-1097
DOI - 10.1111/j.1574-6968.2006.00365.x
Subject(s) - plasmid , moraxella catarrhalis , microbiology and biotechnology , electroporation , pilus , biology , transformation (genetics) , dna , moraxella (branhamella) catarrhalis , streptococcus pneumoniae , genetics , gene , escherichia coli , antibiotics
The human respiratory tract pathogen Moraxella catarrhalis is a naturally competent microorganism. However, electrotransformation has long been used to introduce foreign DNA into this organism. This study demonstrated that electrotransformants obtained with linear or circular nonreplicating plasmid DNA originated exclusively from natural transformation processes taking place during the recovery phase after the application of current. Only replicating plasmid DNA could be introduced into M. catarrhalis by electrotransformation, in a type IV pilus‐independent manner. Electrotransformation with homologous genomic DNA indicated that restriction of double‐stranded DNA was independent of type III restriction‐methylation systems. Nontransformability of M. catarrhalis by electrotransformation was observed using double‐ as well as single‐stranded DNA. In addition, the study showed that natural competence is a very constant feature of M. catarrhalis .