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Piliation changes in transformation-defective gonococci.

J Swanson1, S Morrison, O Barrera

  • 1Laboratory of Microbial Structure and Function, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, Hamilton, Montana 59840.

The Journal of Experimental Medicine
|June 1, 1990
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

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Neisseria gonorrhoeae uses intragenomic recombination to alter pili, even without DNA transformation. Silent pilin gene (pilS) segments are inserted into the expressed pilin gene (pilE), enabling pilus variation.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Genetics
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Neisseria gonorrhoeae* exhibits extensive pilus variation through recombination.
  • Pilin gene expression (pilE) is altered by recombination with silent pilin genes (pilS).
  • This variation is crucial for gonococcal survival and pathogenesis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate pilus variation mechanisms in transformation-incompetent gonococci.
  • To determine the role of intragenomic recombination independent of DNA transformation.

Main Methods:

  • Studied gonococcal strains with DNA uptake deficiency (dud) or pilus-negative (P-) phenotypes.
  • Analyzed pilin gene expression and mRNA sequences in these mutants.
  • Compared pilus variation in nontransformable mutants to wild-type strains.

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Main Results:

  • DNA uptake-deficient (dud) gonococci showed pilus antigenic variation and reversible production changes.
  • Pilus-negative (P-) gonococci, despite being nontransformable, reverted to pilus-positive (P+) frequently.
  • Pilin mRNA analysis revealed pilS segment insertions into pilE in these nontransformable strains, indicating intragenomic recombination.

Conclusions:

  • Intragenomic recombination between pilE and pilS is sufficient for gonococcal pilus variation, independent of DNA transformation.
  • This mechanism allows gonococci to evade host immunity and adapt.
  • Understanding these processes is key to developing effective treatments.