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Is natural genetic transformation a mechanism of horizontal gene transfer in Yersinia?

We investigated the capacity of different Yersinia strains with emphasis to Yersinia enterocolitica to take up and incorporate DNA by natural genetic transformation. Our studies were initiated by the observation of partial homology between the virulence plasmid of a pathogenic Y. enterocolitica strain (O: 3, biovar 4) and plasmids indiginous to different apathogenic Y. enterocolitica biovar 1A strains revealed by hybridization studies. Furthermore, an observation of natural genetic transformation in a strain of Y. enterocolitica has been published by Callahan and Koroma (1979). To detect an uptake and incorporation of DNA, we incubated potential recipient strains with naked DNA under varying experimental conditions. The parameters tested were — the recipient strain, — the markers used to detect a DNA transfer, — the condition of the transforming DNA, — the nutrient availability, — the temperature, — the growth phase, and — the influence of stress. In our experiments, we could not identify conditions under which Y. enterocolitica could be naturally transformed. We thus conclude that natural transformation is unlikely to be an important mechanism for horizontal gene transfer in Yersinia.