DNA transport into Bacillus subtilis requires proton motive force to generate large molecular forces

Berenike Maier; Ines Chen; David Dubnau; Michael P. Sheetz

doi:10.1038/nsmb783

DNA transport into Bacillus subtilis requires proton motive force to generate large molecular forces

Berenike Maier, Ines Chen, David Dubnau, Michael P. Sheetz

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

81 Scopus citations

Abstract

Bacteria can acquire genetic diversity, including antibiotic resistance and virulence traits, by horizontal gene transfer. In particular, many bacteria are naturally competent for uptake of naked DNA from the environment in a process called transformation. Here, we used optical tweezers to demonstrate that the DNA transport machinery in Bacillus subtilis is a force-generating motor. Single DNA molecules were processively transported in a linear fashion without observable pausing events. Uncouplers inhibited DNA uptake immediately, suggesting that the transmembrane proton motive force is needed for DNA translocation. We found an uptake rate of 80 ± 10 bp s^-1 that was force-independent at external forces <40 pN, indicating that a powerful molecular machine supports DNA transport.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	643-649
Number of pages	7
Journal	Nature Structural and Molecular Biology
Volume	11
Issue number	7
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1038/nsmb783
State	Published - Jul 2004
Externally published	Yes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Structural Biology
Molecular Biology

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10.1038/nsmb783

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title = "DNA transport into Bacillus subtilis requires proton motive force to generate large molecular forces",

abstract = "Bacteria can acquire genetic diversity, including antibiotic resistance and virulence traits, by horizontal gene transfer. In particular, many bacteria are naturally competent for uptake of naked DNA from the environment in a process called transformation. Here, we used optical tweezers to demonstrate that the DNA transport machinery in Bacillus subtilis is a force-generating motor. Single DNA molecules were processively transported in a linear fashion without observable pausing events. Uncouplers inhibited DNA uptake immediately, suggesting that the transmembrane proton motive force is needed for DNA translocation. We found an uptake rate of 80 ± 10 bp s-1 that was force-independent at external forces <40 pN, indicating that a powerful molecular machine supports DNA transport.",

author = "Berenike Maier and Ines Chen and David Dubnau and Sheetz, {Michael P.}",

note = "Funding Information: We thank J. Hahn for strain BD3773 and invaluable discussions. The project was supported by grant GM3677 and D.D. by grant GM43756. B.M. acknowledges support by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (Emmy Noether Programm).",

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AU - Maier, Berenike

AU - Chen, Ines

AU - Dubnau, David

AU - Sheetz, Michael P.

N1 - Funding Information: We thank J. Hahn for strain BD3773 and invaluable discussions. The project was supported by grant GM3677 and D.D. by grant GM43756. B.M. acknowledges support by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (Emmy Noether Programm).

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DNA transport into Bacillus subtilis requires proton motive force to generate large molecular forces

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