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  • 11
    Electronic Resource
    Electronic Resource
    Oxford BSL : Blackwell Science Ltd
    Molecular microbiology 30 (1998), S. 0 
    ISSN: 1365-2958
    Source: Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005
    Topics: Biology , Medicine
    Type of Medium: Electronic Resource
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  • 12
    ISSN: 1365-2958
    Source: Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005
    Topics: Biology , Medicine
    Notes: The ability of all 11 variable opacity (Opa) proteins encoded by Neisseria gonorrhoeae MS11 to interact directly with the five CD66 antigens was determined. Transfected HeLa cell lines expressing individual CD66 antigens were infected with recombinant N. gonorrhoeae and Escherichia coli strains expressing defined Opas. Based upon the ability of these bacteria to bind and invade and to isolate specifically CD66 antigens from detergent-soluble extracts of the corresponding cell lines, distinct specificity groups of Opa interaction with CD66 were seen. Defining these specificity groups allowed us to assign a specific function for CD66a in the Opa-mediated interaction of gonococci with two different target cell types, which are both known to co-express multiple CD66 antigens. The competence of individual Opas to interact with CD66a was strictly correlated with their ability to induce an oxidative response by polymorphonuclear neutrophils. The same Opa specificity was observed for the level of gonococcal binding to primary endothelial cells after stimulation with TNFα, which was shown to increase the expression of CD66a rather than CD66e. As CD66e alone is expressed on other target tissues of gonococcal pathogenicity, Opa variation probably contributes to the cell tropism displayed by gonococci.
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  • 13
    ISSN: 1365-2958
    Source: Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005
    Topics: Biology , Medicine
    Notes: Type 4 pili produced by the pathogenic Neisseria species constitute primary determinants for the adherence to host tissues. In addition to the major pilin subunit (PilE), neisserial pili contain the variable PilC proteins represented by two variant gene copies in most pathogenic Neisseria isolates. Based upon structural differences in the conserved regions of PilE, two pilus classes can be distinguished in Neisseria meningitidis. For class I pili found in both Neisseria gonorrhoeae and N. meningitidis, PilC proteins have been implicated in pilus assembly, natural transformation competence and adherence to epithelial cells. In this study, we used primers specific for the pilC2 gene of N. gonorrhoeae strain MS11 to amplify, by the polymerase chain reaction, and clone a homologous pilC gene from N. meningitidis strain A1493 which produces class II pili. This gene was sequenced and the deduced amino acid sequence showed 75.4% and 73.8% identity with the gonococcal PilC1 and PilC2, respectively. These values match the identity value of 74.1% calculated for the two N. gonorrhoeae MS11 PilC proteins, indicating a horizontal relationship between the N. gonorrhoeae and N. meningitidispilC genes. We provide evidence that PilC functions in meningococcal class II pilus assembly and adherence. Furthermore, expression of the cloned N. meningitidis pilC gene in a gonococcal pilC1,2 mutant restores pilus assembly, adherence to ME-180 epithelial cells, and transformation competence to the wild-type level. Thus, PilC proteins exhibit indistinguishable functions in the context of class I and class II pili.
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  • 14
    ISSN: 1365-2958
    Source: Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005
    Topics: Biology , Medicine
    Notes: Three out of 10 Helicobacter pylori clinical isolates were found to be naturally competent for genetic transformation to streptomycin resistance by chromosomal DNA extracted from a spontaneous streptomycin-resistant H. pylori mutant. The frequency of transformation varied between 5 × 10−4 and 4 × 10−6, depending on the H. pylori isolate used. Transposon shuttle mutagenesis based on this natural competence was established using the flagellin gene flaA as the target. The cloned flaA gene was interrupted by insertion of TnMax1, a mini-Tn1721 transposon carrying a modified chloramphenicol-acetyltransferase gene, the catGC cassette. Natural transformation of competent H. pylori strains with plasmid constructs harbouring a catGC-inactivated flaA gene resulted in chloramphenicol-resistant transformants at an average frequency of 4 × 10−5. Southern hybridization experiments confirmed the replacement of the chromosomal H. pylori flaA gene by the cat-inactivated cloned gene copy via homologous recombination resulting in allelic exchange. Phenotypic characterization of the mutants demonstrated the absence of flagella under the electron microscope and the loss of bacterial motility. Immunoblots of cell lysates of the H. pylori mutants with an antiserum raised against the C-terminal portion of recombinant H. pylori major flagellin (FlaA) confirmed the absence of the 54kDa FlaA protein. This efficient transposon shuttle mutagenesis procedure for H. pylori based on natural competence opens up new possibilities for the genetic assessment of putative H. pylori virulence determinants.
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  • 15
    Electronic Resource
    Electronic Resource
    Osney Mead, Oxford OX2 0EL, UK : Blackwell Scientific Publications
    Molecular microbiology 17 (1995), S. 0 
    ISSN: 1365-2958
    Source: Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005
    Topics: Biology , Medicine
    Notes: The phase-variable PilC proteins of pathogenic Neisseria species have recently been implicated in both assembly and cellular adherence functions of the type 4 pili of these pathogens. We describe here the cloning of full-length pilC1 and pilC2 genes and the complete sequencing of the pilC2 gene of Neisseria gonorrhoeae MS11. Sequential inactivation of both genes by gene replacement in piliated (P+) variants of N. gonorrhoeae MS11 led initially to a non-piliated (P−) phenotype; however, spontaneous P+ variants could be derived from some pilC1,2 double mutants which produced morphologically intact pili. Purified pili from pilC1,2 mutants revealed no detectable PilC protein. Instead, a novel protein about 70 kDa in size appeared in the pili preparations of P+ mutants; this protein exhibited no immunological cross-reactivity with PilC1 or PilC2. We propose that this novel factor replaces the function of PilC in pilus biogenesis. Using isogenic N. gonorrhoeae strains which produce identical PilE (pilin) proteins we demonstrate that pili associated with the 70 kDa protein do not confer gonococcal adherence to human epithelial cells, in contrast to pili assembled in the presence of PilC1 or PilC2.
    Type of Medium: Electronic Resource
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  • 16
    ISSN: 1365-2958
    Source: Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005
    Topics: Biology , Medicine
    Notes: We have analysed the capacity of the 11 phase-variable, opacity-associated (Opa) proteins encoded by Neisseria gonorrhoeae MS11 to mediate traversal across polarized monolayers of the human colonic carcinoma T84 cell line. Gonococci expressing either the heparan sulphate proteoglycan (HSPG) binding Opa protein (Opa50) or no Opa protein (Opa−) did not interact with the apical pole of T84 monolayers, whereas the 10 variant Opa proteins previously shown to bind CD66 receptors were found to mediate efficient gonococcal adherence and transepithelial traversal. Consistent with this, T84 cells were shown by reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction (RT–PCR) and immunoblotting to co-express CD66a (BGP), CD66c (NCA) and CD66e (CEA). The recruitment of CD66 receptors by Opa-expressing gonococci indicates their involvement in mediating adherence to the surface of T84 cells, and these bacterial interactions could be inhibited completely using polyclonal antibodies cross-reacting with all of the CD66 proteins co-expressed on T84 cells. Consistent results were obtained when Opa proteins were expressed in Escherichia coli, suggesting that the Opa–CD66 interaction is sufficient to mediate bacterial traversal. Transcytosis of Opa-expressing N. gonorrhoeae or E. coli did not disrupt the barrier function of infected monolayers, as indicated by a sustained transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) throughout the course of infection, and confocal laser scanning and electron microscopy both suggest a transcellular rather than a paracellular route of traversal across the monolayers. Parallels between the results seen here and previous work done with organ cultures confirm that T84 monolayers provide a valid model for studying neisserial interactions with the mucosal surface, and suggest that CD66 receptors contribute to this process in vivo.
    Type of Medium: Electronic Resource
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  • 17
    ISSN: 1365-2958
    Source: Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005
    Topics: Biology , Medicine
    Notes: A novel peptidoglycan-linked lipoprotein (ComL) has been identified which is required for efficient transformation of Neisseria gonorrhoeae by species-related DNA. Although most mutations in comL appear to be lethal, transposon shuttle mutagenesis was successful in generating a single viable comL mutant of N. gonorrhoeae strain MS11. This mutant, N457, exhibits a cratered and crinkled colony morphology and grows slower than wild-type MS11. However, as indicated by electron microscopy, this retardation is due to a small bacterial size rather than to a decreased generation time of the mutant bacteria. Complementation of N457 with an intact comL gene via the Hermes shuttle system fully reconstitutes bacterial size, colony morphology, and transformation competence of the wild-type strain. comL is a single-copy gene and maps downstream of the previously described comA gene It is transcribed in the opposite direction, probably using the same transcriptional terminator. ComL has a predicted size of 29 kDa and is synthesized in Escherichia coli under the control of its native promoter, which is highly conserved with the E. coli promoter consensus sequence. The 5′ end of the coding sequence reveals a lipoprotein secretion signal shown to be functional by gene fusion with alkaline phosphatase (phoA′ ). In E. coli, cloned ComL can be labelled with [3H]-palmitic acid, thus demonstrating its lipoproteinaceous nature. Palmitoylated ComL appears to be covalently bound to the murein sacculus of E. coli and N. gonorrhoeae since it resists boiling in 4% sodium dodecyl sulphate and is released only by lysozyme treatment. Homologous counterparts of the comL gene are found in Neisseriameningitidis as well as in several non-pathogenic Neisseria species.
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  • 18
    Electronic Resource
    Electronic Resource
    Osney Mead, Oxford OX2 0EL, UK : Blackwell Scientific Publications
    Molecular microbiology 17 (1995), S. 0 
    ISSN: 1365-2958
    Source: Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005
    Topics: Biology , Medicine
    Notes: Pathogenic Neisseria species, the causative agents of gonorrhoea and bacterial meningitis, encode a family of polymorphic exo-proteins which are autoproteolytically processed into several distinct extracellular components, including an IgA1 protease and an α-protein. IgA1 protease, a putative virulence determinant, is a sequence-specific endopeptidase known to cleave human IgA1, but additional target proteins have been postulated. The physical linkage of IgA1 protease and a-protein suggests a functional relationship of both precursor components. Previous work has shown that α-protein is essential neither for extracellular transport nor for the proteolytic activity of IgA1 protease. Intriguingly, α-proteins carry amino acid sequences reminiscent of nuclear location signals of viral and eukaryotic proteins. Here we demonstrate the functionality of these nuclear location signal sequences in transfected eukaryotic cells. Chimeric α-proteins show nuclear transport and selectively associate with nucleolar structures. More importantly, native purified α-proteins are capable of entering certain human primary cells from the exterior via an endocytotic route and accumulate in the nuclei. The neisserial α-proteins share several features with eukaryotic transcription factors, such as the formation of dimers via a heptad repeat sequence. We propose a role for a-proteins in the regulation of host-cell functions. As the α-proteins are covalently connected with IgA1 protease they may also serve as carriers for the IgA1 protease into human cells where additional proteolytic targets may exist. Neisseria meningitidis, which locally colonizes the nasopharyngeal mucosa of many human individuals without apparently causing symptoms, secretes this nucleus-targeted factor in large quantities.
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  • 19
    ISSN: 1365-2958
    Source: Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005
    Topics: Biology , Medicine
    Notes: One requirement for the invasion of, and tight adherence to, human epitheiial cells by Neisseria gonorrhoeae is the synthesis of distinct opacity (Opa) outer membrane proteins, encoded by a family of phase-variable chromosomal genes. However, cloning and surface expression of invasion-promoting Opas in Escherichia coli is not sufficient for the efficient invasion of epithelial cells: additional factors besides Opa may be involved in this process. Using the phoA mini-transposon TnMax4, a library of gonococcal mutants affected in the expression of genes encoding exported proteins was generated through shuttle mutagenesis. Of a total of 608 PhoA+ plasmid clones identified in E. coli E145 approximately 40% were used successfully in transforming N. gonorrhoeae and in activating the corresponding chromosomal genes. Gonococci producing the invasion-promoting Opa50 served as the genetic background to identify 51 mutants unable to enter Chang human epithelial cells. We expect some of these mutations affect the interaction of N. gonorrhoeae with epithelial cells directly, while other mutants may carry defects in general house-keeping, secretory and/or regulatory determinants. In some mutants the loss of invasiveness appears to be due to a negative dominant effect of the PhoA+ fusions produced in these mutants. Some of the identified genes display a phase-variation phenomenon in E. coli and several genes are found in multiple copies in N. gonorrhoeae and/or present only in pathogenic Neisseria species.
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  • 20
    Electronic Resource
    Electronic Resource
    Oxford, UK : Blackwell Science Ltd
    Molecular microbiology 56 (2005), S. 0 
    ISSN: 1365-2958
    Source: Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005
    Topics: Biology , Medicine
    Notes: Type IV pili of Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Neisseria meningitidis mediate the first contact to human mucosal epithelial cells, an interaction which is also critical for the interaction with vascular endothelial cells. The PilC proteins have been characterized as the principal pilus-associated adhesin. Here we show that PilC2 exhibits a defined cell and tissue tropism, as it binds to human epithelial and endothelial cell lines, but not to human T cells or fibroblasts. Piliated gonococci and PilC2 exhibit similar patterns of binding to human epithelial and endothelial cells, supporting the function of PilC as the key pilus adhesin. Although CD46 has previously been suggested to be a pilus receptor, several observations indicate that neisserial type IV pili and the pilus adhesin PilC2 interact with epithelial cells in a CD46 independent manner. Biochemical approaches were used to characterize the nature of host cell factors mediating binding of piliated gonococci and PilC2 protein. Our data indicate that the putative host cell receptor for gonococcal pili and the PilC2 pilus adhesin is a surface protein. Glycostructures were found to not be involved in binding. Moreover, we observed the uptake of purified PilC2 protein together with its receptor via receptor-mediated endocytosis and subsequent receptor re-exposure on the cell surface. Our data support the existence of a specific pilus receptor and provide intriguing information on the nature of the receptor.
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