Two-component systems as potential therapeutic targets in Neisseria pathogenesis

Neisseria meningitidis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae are obligate human pathogens that cause meningitis and gonorrhea, contributing substantially to global morbidity. Although vaccines are available for select meningococcal serogroups, no licensed vaccine exists for gonorrhea, and rising antimicrobial resistance has further complicated treatment. These challenges highlight the need for alternative therapeutic strategies. Two-component systems (TCSs) are major regulatory mechanisms in bacteria, enabling environmental sensing and adaptive responses essential for survival and pathogenesis.

Despite possessing relatively few TCSs, Neisseria relies heavily on these systems to coordinate virulence-associated functions. The MisS/MisR system regulates capsule synthesis, lipooligosaccharide modification, and resistance to antimicrobial peptides. NtrX/NtrY and NarQ/NarP modulate respiratory adaptation under oxygen-limited conditions, while pilus-associated systems govern adhesion, motility, and tissue colonization. TCSs also influence antimicrobial resistance by controlling efflux pumps, envelope homeostasis, and stress responses, thereby supporting persistence and multidrug resistance. Their dual involvement in pathogenesis and drug resistance underscores their therapeutic relevance. Several TCS-regulated proteins, such as AniA and type-IV pilus subunits, have shown promise as vaccine antigens. Advances in histidine kinase inhibitors and structure-based screening further expand opportunities to target TCSs as antimicrobial interventions.

TCSs serve as essential regulators of virulence and antimicrobial resistance in Neisseria spp. Their conserved and limited repertoire makes them appealing targets for drug and vaccine development. TCS-directed strategies offer a promising route to complement existing therapies and address the growing challenge of meningococcal and gonococcal infections.