Journal of Bacteriology & Parasitology

Competence regulators in Gram-positive bacteria

3^rd International Congress on Bacteriology and Infectious Diseases

August 04-06, 2015 Valencia, Spain

Veronica Medrano Romero and Kazuya Morikawa

Posters-Accepted Abstracts: J Bacteriol Parasitol

Abstract:

Genetic competence is a specific physiological state developed to undergo natural transformation. The machinery for DNAuptake
is similar among bacteria but the competence regulatory circuits are species-specific. Among Gram-positive bacteria,
there are two different and evolutionary distinct central competence regulators, the alternative sigma factor ComX (also known as
σH) and the transcription factor ComK. Some species, like Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus and Listeria monocytogenes, have
both regulators. However, only in B. subtilistheir function has been clearly and extensively studied. In B. subtilis, these regulators form
a regulatory network in which ComK is the main regulator of competence achievement and σHcontrols sporulation development.
In non-spore forming species (Streptococcus pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus), the main competence regulator is ComX/σH
and it has been reported that ComK can enhance the σH directed transcription of comGand comE operons in S. aureus. Listeria
monocytogenesis a non-spore forming bacteria without any reports of competence development, but the competence machinery
genes (controlled by ComK) have been reported to be important for optimal phagosomal escape. Here, we review the current
knowledge regarding competence regulation among Gram positive bacteria.

Biography :

Veronica Medrano Romero graduated from Biology in Mayor de San Andres University in La Paz, Bolivia. She got her Master degree in Medical Sciences in the University
of Tsukuba, Japan in 2011. Currently, she is a second year student of the Doctoral Program in Biomedical Sciences in the same university.