A Genome-Wide CRISPR Interference Screen Reveals an StkP-Mediated Connection between Cell Wall Integrity and Competence in Streptococcus salivarius

Abstract

Survival of human commensal streptococci in the digestive tract requires efficient strategies which must be tightly and collectively controlled for responding to competitive pressure and drastic environmental changes. In this context, the autocrine signaling system ComRS controlling competence for natural transformation and predation in salivarius streptococci could be seen as a multi-input device integrating a variety of environmental stimuli.