Insights Into Pneumococcal Fratricide from the Crystal Structures of the Modular Killing Factor Lytc.

Streptococcus pneumoniae develop a state of genetic competence, in which the bacteria can acquire exogenous DNA; the competent bacteria also secrete enzymes that trigger the lysis of neighboring non-competent cells. Now the structure of pneumococcal autolysin LytC provides insight into its role in cell wall metabolism and fratricide.