The species Campylobacter jejuni is naturally competent for DNA uptake; nevertheless, nonnaturally transformable strains do exist. For a subset of strains we previously showed that a periplasmic DNase, encoded by dns, inhibits natural transformation in C. jejuni. In the present study, genetic factors coding for DNase activity in the absence of dns were identified. DNA arrays indicated that nonn...

Transformable mutants of the nontransformable Blackburn strain group H streptococci have been isolated. In contrast with the wild strain, the cell surface extracts of these mutants contain the factor inactivating deoxyribonucleic acid in vitro.

We have identified genes required for competence of Neisseria meningitidis, a naturally transformable human pathogen. Although not comprehensive, our analysis identified competence-defective mutants with transposon insertions in genes not previously implicated in this process in Neisseria.

Bacillus subtilis PS216, a strain isolated in Slovenia, has been sequenced. PS216 is transformable and forms robust biofilms, making it useful for the study of competence regulation in an undomesticated bacterium.

Perry, Dennis (Northwestern University Medical School, Chicago, Ill.) and Hutton D. Slade. Transformation of streptococci to streptomycin resistance. J. Bacteriol. 83:443-449. 1962.-A total of 43 strains of streptococci, belonging to serological groups A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, K, L, M, N, O, and Q, and three ungroupable strains were exposed to deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) extracted from streptomy...

Populations of Pneumococcus (1)) Haemophilus inJEuenxae (2)) and Bacillus subtilis (3, 4) develop the capacity to incorporate and to be modified genetically by deoxyribonucleic acid during the latter portion of the logarithmic phase of growth. In 1946 McCarty, Taylor, and Avery (5) suggested that this rapid development of sensitivity to transforming DNA might be related to a reversible alterati...