Bacterial transformation, a programmed mechanism for genetic exchange originally discovered in Streptococcus pneumoniae, is widespread in bacteria. It is based on the uptake and integration of exogenous DNA into the recipient genome. This review examines whether induction of competence for genetic transformation is a general response to stress in gram-positive bacteria. It compares data obtained with bacteria chosen for their different lifestyles, the soil-dweller Bacillus subtilis and the major human pathogen S. pneumoniae. The review focuses on the relationship between competence and other global responses in B. subtilis, as well as on recent evidence for competence induction in response to DNA damage or antibiotics and for the ability of S. pneumoniae to use competence as a substitute for SOS. This comparison reveals that the two species use different fitness-enhancing strategies in response to stress conditions. Whereas B. subtilis combines competence and SOS induction, S. pneumoniae relies only on competence to generate genetic diversity through transformation.

中文翻译：

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胜任力调节剂的诱导，作为革兰氏阳性细菌对压力的一般反应。

细菌转化是一种最初在肺炎链球菌中发现的遗传交换程序化机制，在细菌中广泛存在。它基于外源DNA的吸收和整合到受体基因组中。这项审查检查遗传转化能力的诱导是否是革兰氏阳性细菌对压力的一般反应。它比较了根据不同生活方式选择的细菌，土壤中的枯草芽孢杆菌和主要人类病原体肺炎链球菌获得的数据。这篇综述着重于枯草芽孢杆菌的能力与其他整体反应之间的关系，以及针对DNA损伤或抗生素反应引起的能力诱导以及肺炎链球菌利用能力替代SOS的能力的最新证据。该比较表明，两种物种在应对压力条件时使用了不同的健身增强策略。枯草芽孢杆菌结合了能力和SOS诱导，而肺炎链球菌仅依靠能力通过转化产生遗传多样性。