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Effects of Over‐Expression of RecA on Transformation in Bacillus subtilis
Author(s) -
Penumutchu Swathi,
Korry Benjamin,
Belenky Peter
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.31.1_supplement.777.18
Subject(s) - bacillus subtilis , bacteria , homologous recombination , biology , antibiotic resistance , transformation (genetics) , dna , sos response , horizontal gene transfer , antibiotics , gene , microbiology and biotechnology , multidrug tolerance , genetics , dna repair , genome , biofilm
Antibiotics are used heavily in modern medical practices and they often affect microorganisms in unanticipated ways. One such effect of antibiotics on bacteria is the transfer of antibiotic resistance. These resistant strains of bacteria pose a threat to current medical practices because their growth cannot be controlled. In the gram‐positive bacteria, Bacillus subtilis , the development of antibiotic resistance occurs through several methods, one being horizontal gene transfer (HGT). Exogenous DNA is taken up by cells, resulting in transformed cells with integrated DNA that confers antibiotic resistance. Transformation in bacteria relies on competence and generates genetic diversity through integrating DNA present in the environment. The SOS response in some bacterial cells is responsible for correcting DNA damage. Genes in the SOS box such as RecA are involved in the processes of homologous recombination and nucleotide excision repair. We hypothesize that the RecA levels increase in response to DNA damage, aiding homologous recombination and transformation in cells. According to preliminary experiments conducted, the addition of antibiotic stress causes an increase in the number of transformed cells and an increase in RecA expression. It is proposed that the over‐expression of RecA will allow cells to better integrate exogenous DNA and increase transformation efficiency levels. This study has significant implications into the understanding of how antibiotics effect various populations of bacteria and the development of pools of genetically diverse bacteria. Support or Funding Information Research sponsored by National Science Foundation, Division of Integrative Organismal Systems, IOS‐1249925