The CovRS Environmental Sensor Directly Controls the ComRS Signaling System To Orchestrate Competence Bimodality in Salivarius Streptococci
Adrien Knoops, Florence Vande Capelle, Laetitia Fontaine, Marie Verhaegen, Johann Mignolet, Philippe Goffin, Jacques Mahillon, Andrea Saß, Tom Coenye, Laura Ledesma‐García, Pascal Hols
Abstract
Combining production of antibacterial compounds and uptake of DNA material released by dead cells, competence is one of the most efficient survival strategies in streptococci. Yet, this powerful tactic is energy consuming and reprograms the metabolism to such an extent that cell proliferation is transiently impaired. To circumvent this drawback, competence activation is restricted to a subpopulation, a process known as bimodality. In this work, we explored this phenomenon in salivarius streptococci and elucidated the molecular mechanisms governing cell fate. We also show that an environmental sensor controlling virulence in pathogenic streptococci is diverted to control competence in commensal streptococci. Together, those results showcase how bacteria can sense and transmit external stimuli to complex communication devices for fine-tuning collective behaviors.