This Article
Right arrow Full Text
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow An erratum has been published
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrowReprints and Permissions
Right arrow Copyright Information
Right arrow Books from ASM Press
Right arrow MicrobeWorld
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Wiesner, R. S.
Right arrow Articles by DiRita, V. J.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Wiesner, R. S.
Right arrow Articles by DiRita, V. J.

 Previous Article  |  Next Article 

Journal of Bacteriology, September 2003, p. 5408-5418, Vol. 185, No. 18
0021-9193/03/$08.00+0     DOI: 10.1128/JB.185.18.5408-5418.2003
Copyright © 2003, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

Natural Transformation of Campylobacter jejuni Requires Components of a Type II Secretion System

Rebecca S. Wiesner,1 David R. Hendrixson,2 and Victor J. DiRita1,2*

Department of Microbiology and Immunology,1 Unit for Laboratory Animal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-06202

Received 23 January 2003/ Accepted 27 June 2003

The human pathogen Campylobacter jejuni is one of more than 40 naturally competent bacterial species able to import macromolecular DNA from the environment and incorporate it into their genomes. However, in C. jejuni little is known about the genes involved in this process. We used random transposon mutagenesis to identify genes that are required for the transformation of this organism. We isolated mutants with insertions in 11 different genes; most of the mutants are affected in the DNA uptake stage of transformation, whereas two mutants are affected in steps subsequent to DNA uptake, such as recombination into the chromosome or in DNA transport across the inner membrane. Several of these genes encode proteins homologous to those involved in type II secretion systems, biogenesis of type IV pili, and competence for natural transformation in gram-positive and gram-negative species. Other genes identified in our screen encode proteins unique to C. jejuni or are homologous to proteins that have not been shown to play a role in the transformation in other bacteria.


* Corresponding author. Mailing address: University of Michigan Medical School, 1150 W. Medical Center Dr., 5641 Medical Science II, Box 0620, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-0620. Phone: (734) 936-3804. Fax: (734) 764-3562. E-mail: vdirita{at}umich.edu.


Journal of Bacteriology, September 2003, p. 5408-5418, Vol. 185, No. 18
0021-9193/03/$08.00+0     DOI: 10.1128/JB.185.18.5408-5418.2003
Copyright © 2003, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.




This article has been cited by other articles:

  • Gaasbeek, E. J., Wagenaar, J. A., Guilhabert, M. R., Wosten, M. M. S. M., van Putten, J. P. M., van der Graaf-van Bloois, L., Parker, C. T., van der Wal, F. J. (2009). A DNase Encoded by Integrated Element CJIE1 Inhibits Natural Transformation of Campylobacter jejuni. J. Bacteriol. 191: 2296-2306 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
  • Davis, L. M., Kakuda, T., DiRita, V. J. (2009). A Campylobacter jejuni znuA Orthologue Is Essential for Growth in Low-Zinc Environments and Chick Colonization. J. Bacteriol. 191: 1631-1640 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
  • Jeon, B., Muraoka, W., Sahin, O., Zhang, Q. (2008). Role of Cj1211 in Natural Transformation and Transfer of Antibiotic Resistance Determinants in Campylobacter jejuni. Antimicrob. Agents Chemother. 52: 2699-2708 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
  • Jeon, B., Zhang, Q. (2007). Cj0011c, a Periplasmic Single- and Double-Stranded DNA-Binding Protein, Contributes to Natural Transformation in Campylobacter jejuni. J. Bacteriol. 189: 7399-7407 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
  • Guerry, P., Ewing, C. P., Schoenhofen, I. C., Logan, S. M. (2007). Protein Glycosylation in Campylobacter jejuni: Partial Suppression of pglF by Mutation of pseC. J. Bacteriol. 189: 6731-6733 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
  • Kienesberger, S., Gorkiewicz, G., Joainig, M. M., Scheicher, S. R., Leitner, E., Zechner, E. L. (2007). Development of Experimental Genetic Tools for Campylobacter fetus. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 73: 4619-4630 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
  • Sommerlad, S. M., Hendrixson, D. R. (2007). Analysis of the Roles of FlgP and FlgQ in Flagellar Motility of Campylobacter jejuni. J. Bacteriol. 189: 179-186 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
  • Kakuda, T., DiRita, V. J. (2006). Cj1496c Encodes a Campylobacter jejuni Glycoprotein That Influences Invasion of Human Epithelial Cells and Colonization of the Chick Gastrointestinal Tract.. Infect. Immun. 74: 4715-4723 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
  • Kim, J.-S., Carver, D. K., Kathariou, S. (2006). Natural Transformation-Mediated Transfer of Erythromycin Resistance in Campylobacter coli Strains from Turkeys and Swine. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 72: 1316-1321 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
  • Larsen, J. C., Szymanski, C., Guerry, P. (2004). N-Linked Protein Glycosylation Is Required for Full Competence in Campylobacter jejuni 81-176. J. Bacteriol. 186: 6508-6514 [Abstract] [Full Text]