The secretion ATPase ComGA is required for the binding and transport of transforming DNA.

Transformation requires specialized proteins to facilitate the binding and uptake of DNA. The genes of the Bacillus subtilis comG operon (comGA-G) are required for transformation and to assemble a structure, the pseudopilus, in the cell envelope. No role for the pseudopilus has been established and the functions of the individual comG genes are unknown.

Maf acts downstream of ComGA to arrest cell division in competent cells of B. subtilis.

Transformable (competent) cells of Bacillus subtilis are blocked in cell division because the traffic ATPase ComGA prevents the formation of FtsZ rings. Although ComGA-deficient cells elongate and form FtsZ rings, cell division remains blocked at a later stage and the cells become mildly filamented. Here we show that the highly conserved protein Maf is synthesized predominantly in competent cells under the direct control of the transcription factor ComK and is solely responsible for the later block in cell division.

Genome plasticity in Lactococcus lactis.

Comparative genome analyses contribute significantly to our understanding of bacterial evolution and indicate that bacterial genomes are constantly evolving structures. The gene content and organisation of chromosomes of lactic acid bacteria probably result from a strong evolutionary pressure toward optimal growth of these microorganisms in milk. The genome plasticity of Lactococcus lactis was evaluated at inter- and intrasubspecies levels by different experimental approaches.