The SMF family, of DNA processing chain A, dprA, are a group of bacterial proteins. In H. pylori, dprA is required for natural chromosomal and plasmid transformation [1]. It has now been shown that DprA is found to bind cooperatively to single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) and to interact with RecA. In the process, DprA-RecA-ssDNA filaments are produced and these filaments catalyse the homology-dependent formation of joint molecules. While the E.coli SSB protein limits access of RecA to ssDNA, DprA alleviates this barrier. It is proposed that DprA is a new member of the recombination-mediator protein family, dedicated to natural bacterial transformation [2].

1: The dprA gene is required for natural transformation of Helicobacter pylori. Smeets LC, Bijlsma JJ, Kuipers EJ, Vandenbroucke-Grauls CM, Kusters JG; FEMS Immunol Med Microbiol 2000;27:99-102. PMID:10640603

2: A key presynaptic role in transformation for a widespread bacterial protein: DprA conveys incoming ssDNA to RecA. Mortier-Barriere I, Velten M, Dupaigne P, Mirouze N, Pietrement O, McGovern S, Fichant G, Martin B, Noirot P, Le Cam E, Polard P, Claverys JP; Cell. 2007;130:824-836. PMID:17803906