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PorA variable regions of Neisseria meningitidis

Joanne E Russell1, Keith A Jolley, Ian M Feavers

  • 1University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.

Emerging Infectious Diseases
|June 18, 2004
PubMed

Insights

This study revises the Neisseria meningitidis PorA subtype nomenclature. A new scheme based on porA gene sequencing improves characterization and addresses limitations of the previous antibody-based serotyping method.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Immunology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Neisseria meningitidis subtypes are defined by outer membrane protein PorA variations.
  • PorA is crucial for meningococcal vaccines and epidemiological tracking.
  • Current serosubtyping using monoclonal antibodies is insufficient to detect all PorA variants.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify and define Neisseria meningitidis PorA subtype families using nucleotide sequence analysis.
  • To develop a revised nomenclature scheme for PorA subtypes.
  • To establish a web-accessible database for the new nomenclature.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of all available nucleotide sequences of the porA VR1 and VR2 regions.
  • Development of a revised nomenclature system compatible with existing serologic schemes.
  • Creation of a web-accessible database (http://neisseria.org/nm/typing/pora).

Main Results:

  • Identification of PorA subtype families based on comprehensive sequence data.
  • Establishment of a revised nomenclature system that overcomes limitations of serologic typing.
  • A functional database is available for researchers to access the new classification.

Conclusions:

  • Nucleotide sequencing of porA genes provides a more accurate method for Neisseria meningitidis subtyping.
  • The revised nomenclature and database enhance the characterization of PorA variants.
  • This work improves meningococcal vaccine development and epidemiological surveillance.

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