Properties and biological role of streptococcal fratricins.

Competence for natural genetic transformation is widespread in the genus Streptococcus. The current view is that all streptococcal species possess this property. In addition to the proteins required for DNA uptake and recombination, competent streptococci secrete muralytic enzymes termed fratricins. Since the synthesis and secretion of these cell wall-degrading enzymes are always coupled to competence development in streptococci, fratricins are believed to carry out an important function associated with natural transformation. This minireview summarizes what is known about the properties of fratricins and discusses their possible biological roles in streptococcal transformation.