Part of a major quorum-sensing system that regulates the development of genetic competence. Acts through the activation of the two-component regulatory system ComP/ComA composed of a sensor histidine kinase, ComP, and a response regulator, ComA. Activation of ComA leads to the direct regulation of over 20 genes and expression of over 150 additional genes, including those involved in competence development, appears to be controlled indirectly. Under certain conditions plays a role in sporulation