A. B. Dalia

Two D-loop resolution systems enable natural genetic transformation in bacteria

This study identifies two D-loop resolution systems in bacteria, YraN/ComM and CoiA/RadA, that work together to process the transformation D-loop during natural genetic transformation.

Increased intracellular persulfide levels attenuate HlyU-mediated hemolysin transcriptional activation in Vibrio cholerae

This study shows that intracellular persulfide levels reduce HlyU-mediated hemolysin gene activation in V. cholerae by modulating reactive sulfur species sensing.

A simple mechanism for integration of quorum sensing and cAMP signalling in V. cholerae

The paper maps LuxO and HapR genome-wide in V. cholerae, showing their interaction with CRP at shared sites to integrate quorum sensing and cAMP signalling for gene regulation.

The molecular mechanism for carbon catabolite repression of the chitin response in Vibrio cholerae

This paper identifies how EIIAGlc interacts with ChiS to repress chitin utilization and natural transformation in V. cholerae under glucose conditions.

The PilT retraction ATPase promotes both extension and retraction of the MSHA type IVa pilus in Vibrio cholerae

This study shows that PilT promotes both extension and retraction of MSHA type IVa pili in Vibrio cholerae, challenging the conventional understanding of T4aP dynamics.

Transertion is used for localized expression and assembly of Vibrio parahaemolyticus T3SS2

The paper shows Vibrio parahaemolyticus uses transertion to assemble T3SS2 in response to bile acids.

Retraction ATPase motors from three orthologous type IVa pilus systems support promiscuous retraction of the Vibrio cholerae competence pilus

The paper shows that retraction ATPases from three T4aP systems can functionally replace the V. cholerae competence pilus retraction motor, while extension ATPases cannot.

Oxygen depletion and nitric oxide stimulate type IV MSHA pilus retraction in Vibrio cholerae via activation of the phosphodiesterase CdpA

This study identifies oxygen depletion and nitric oxide as stimuli that trigger MSHA pilus retraction in V. cholerae via the phosphodiesterase CdpA.

Fresh extension of Vibrio cholerae competence type IV pili predisposes them for motor-independent retraction

This study investigates motor-independent retraction of Vibrio cholerae competence type IV pili and finds that freshly extended pili can retract without a retraction motor, but static pili can later retract via motor-dependent mechanisms.

Type IV pili share a conserved mechanism of motor-independent retraction that is an inherent property of the pilus filament

The paper identifies a conserved mechanism for motor-independent pilus retraction in Type IV pili, showing that filament instability, not a dedicated motor, drives retraction.

Type IV competence pili in Streptococcus pneumoniae are highly dynamic structures that retract to promote DNA uptake

This study shows that type IV competence pili in Streptococcus pneumoniae dynamically extend and retract, with retraction essential for DNA uptake during natural transformation.

The ChiS-family DNA-binding domain contains a cryptic helix-turn-helix variant

The paper determines the crystal structure of the ChiS DNA-binding domain in Vibrio cholerae, revealing a novel helix-sheet-helix variant of the HTH domain and its role in DNA binding.

Acinetobacter baylyi regulates type IV pilus synthesis by employing two extension motors and a motor protein inhibitor

This study identifies two extension motors and an inhibitor for type IV pilus synthesis in Acinetobacter baylyi, challenging the previous belief that only one motor is involved.

Prophage-dependent neighbor predation fosters horizontal gene transfer by natural transformation

The paper shows that prophage-dependent neighbor predation in Vibrio cholerae enhances horizontal gene transfer via natural transformation in chitin estuary microcosms.

ChiS is a noncanonical DNA-binding hybrid sensor kinase that directly regulates the chitin utilization program in Vibrio cholerae

This study identifies ChiS as a noncanonical hybrid sensor kinase in Vibrio cholerae that directly regulates chitin utilization genes through DNA binding and RNA polymerase recruitment, bypassing traditional two-component signaling.

Species-specific quorum sensing represses the chitobiose utilization locus in Vibrio cholerae

This study identifies HapR as a repressor of the chitobiose utilization operon in V. cholerae, showing species-specific quorum sensing regulates chitin utilization.

CryoEM structure of the Vibrio cholerae Type IV competence pilus secretin PilQ

The paper determines the cryoEM structure of V. cholerae PilQ, revealing its architecture and function in DNA transfer, and identifies it as a potential drug target.

A modular chromosomally integrated toolkit for ectopic gene expression in Vibrio cholerae

This paper develops a modular chromosomally integrated toolkit for ectopic gene expression in Vibrio cholerae, showing that PBAD-riboswitch provides the tightest induction with no detectable leakiness.

PilT and PilU are homohexameric ATPases that coordinate to retract type IVa pili

This paper identifies PilU as a PilT-dependent retraction ATPase that works with PilT to retract type IVa pili in Vibrio cholerae and Acinetobacter baylyi.

Diversity in natural transformation frequencies and regulation across Vibrio species

The paper shows that Vibrio species exhibit diverse natural transformation capabilities, with TfoX and QstR expression enabling high transformation rates in some strains but not others.

A bifunctional ATPase drives tad pilus extension and retraction

This study identifies a bifunctional ATPase, CpaF, that drives both extension and retraction of tad pili in Caulobacter crescentus through ATP hydrolysis.

Horizontal gene transfer by natural transformation promotes both genetic and epigenetic inheritance of traits

This study demonstrates that natural transformation in Vibrio cholerae enables epigenetic inheritance of traits through rapid DNA integration and expression prior to cell division.

ComM is a hexameric helicase that promotes branch migration during natural transformation in diverse Gram-negative species

This study identifies ComM as a hexameric helicase that facilitates branch migration during natural transformation in Gram-negative bacteria.

Systematic Genetic Dissection Of Chitin Degradation And Uptake In Vibrio cholerae

This study systematically examines the role of seven chitinase genes in Vibrio cholerae's growth on chitin and natural transformation, finding that low chitinase activity suffices for transformation but higher activity is needed for chitin utilization.

Obstruction of pilus retraction stimulates bacterial surface sensing

The paper shows that blocking pilus retraction in Caulobacter crescentus stimulates holdfast synthesis without surface contact, indicating pilus retraction is used for surface sensing.

The Nucleoid Occlusion Protein SlmA Is A Direct Transcriptional Activator Of Chitobiose Utilization In Vibrio cholerae

This study identifies SlmA as a direct transcriptional activator of the chb operon in Vibrio cholerae, essential for chitobiose utilization, despite its known role in nucleoid occlusion.

Enhancing Multiplex Genome Editing by Natural Transformation (MuGENT) via inactivation of ssDNA exonucleases

This paper enhances multiplex genome editing via natural transformation by inactivating ssDNA exonucleases, reducing homology arm size and improving editing efficiency.