Role of DNA processing protein A in natural transformation of bacteria

Natural transformation is a genetically programmed mechanism of horizontal gene transfer in bacterial, which is a way for bacteria to obtain new genetic information. DNA processing protein A (DprA) is a conserved protein, which is involved in multiple aspects of natural transformation: DprA can bind and protect ssDNA, interact with RecA, promote the loading of RecA on ssDNA, alleviate the SSB barrier, and it also involves in the closing process of competent cells. In this article, the role of DprA in the natural transformation of bacteria is reviewed.