Regulation of horizontal gene transfer by intercellular peptide signaling in Bacillus subtilis

Horizontal gene transfer plays an important role in bacterial evolution. Although acquisition of foreign DNA can be beneficial to cells, it can also be detrimental. Therefore, cells that possess mechanisms to regulate horizontal gene transfer likely have a competitive advantage. Similarly, several mobile genetic elements possess mechanisms that regulate transfer. This regulation maintains stability and promotes dissemination of the element, thereby ensuring its survival. Elucidating the mechanisms that regulate transfer should provide insights into conditions that favor horizontal gene transfer and bacterial evolution. This thesis describes the regulation of two means of horizontal gene transfer in the gram-positive bacterium Bacillus subtilis. Under certain conditions, B. subtilis cells undergo differentiation into competent cells capable of acquiring foreign DNA from the environment. A variety of factors regulate competence development. Initiation of genetic competence is controlled by a transcription factor, ComA, that also activates expression of genes that encode degradative enzymes, antibiotics, and secreted products important for biofilm formation.

Department dc:contributor.department

Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Biology.

Grantor dc:publisher

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Year dc:date.issued

2006

Author dc:creator

• Auchtung, Jennifer M

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Alan D. Grossman.

• Biology.

Statement dc:rights

• M.I.T. theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. See provided URL for inquiries about permission.

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/34194
• http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Identifier URI

http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/34194

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dspace.mit.edu:1721.1/34194