# CHARACTERIZATION OF COMPETENCE GENES IN PNEUMOCOCCUS

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT CHICAGO · 1988 · $34,839

## Abstract

Donor DNA taken up by Streptococcus penumoniae (pneumococcus) competent for
genetic transformation is converted into single strand fragments a few
microns long which eventually recombine at high efficiency with homologus
sequences in the cell chromosome.  These fragments are found in a specific
complex with a small protein that is synthesized only as cells develop the
ability to take up DNA (competence).  At maximum competence, protein
synthesis is largely limited to this and about a score of other principal
proteins.  The proposed research will combine methods for molecular cloning
in E. coli with existing genetic tools in penumococcus for recognizing
transformation defective mutants ad for radio-labeling of
competence-specific proteins, to form a powerful new genetic system for
investigating the competence and transformation mechanisms.  Analysis of
the mechanisms of transformation and competence in pneumococcus has been
hampered by the lack of readily applicable genetic tools.  We argue here
that the tools are now available and propose to use molecular cloning
methods to provide the materials for genetic mapping, specific gene probes
for hybridization techniques, and insertion mutations for phenotypic
characterization.  The purpose of this project will be to establish a
collection of mutations in genes required for genetic transformation in
pneumococcus, identify the protein products of these genes, map these genes
on the chromosome with respect to each other, and establish molecular
clones in E. coli of the relevant segments of the pneumococcal chromosome.
From the complexity of the competence response, we expect approximately one
to three dozen genes may be identified as essential for transformation, and
will test the hypothesis that these are organized in a few gene clusters.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3129309
- **Project number:** 3R01AI019875-03S1
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT CHICAGO
- **SAM.gov UEI:** W8XEAJDKMXH3
- **Principal Investigator:** DONALD A MORRISON
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1988
- **Award amount:** $34,839
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 1983-12-01 → 1988-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3129309

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3129309, CHARACTERIZATION OF COMPETENCE GENES IN PNEUMOCOCCUS (3R01AI019875-03S1). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3129309. Licensed CC0.

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