| Primary Identifier | IPR008681 | Type | Family |
| Short Name | Neg-reg_MecA |
| description | Competence is the ability of a cell to take up exogenous DNA from its environment, resulting in transformation. It is widespread among bacteria and is probably an important mechanism for the horizontal transfer of genes. DNA usually becomes available by the death and lysis of other cells. Competent bacteria use components of extracellular filaments called type 4 pili to create pores in their membranes and pull DNA through the pores into the cytoplasm. This process, including the development of competence and the expression of the uptake machinery, is regulated in response to cell-cell signalling and/or nutritional conditions [].This family contains several bacterial MecA proteins. In complex media competence development is poor, and there is little or no expression of late competence genes. Overexpression of MecA inhibits comG transcription [, , ].MecA enables the recognition and targeting of unfolded and aggregated proteins to the ClpC protease or to other proteins involved in proteolysis. It acts negatively in the development of competence by binding ComK and recruiting it to the ClpCP protease. When overexpressed, it inhibits sporulation. It is also involved in Spx degradation by ClpC []. |
