Sulphur acquisition by Neisseria meningitidis
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 1, 2026

A Fluorescence-based Method to Study Bacterial Gene Regulation in Infected Tissues
Published on: February 19, 2019
Abstract:
Group B Neisseria meningitidis (SD1C) was grown on defined medium supplemented with each of a variety of sulphur compounds as the sole source of sulphur. The organism grew on sulphate, sulphite, bisulphite, thiosulphate, dithionite, hydrosulphide, thiocyanate, L-cysteine, L-cystine, reduced glutathione, methionine, mercaptosuccinate, and lanthionine, but not on dithionate unless previously sulphur starved. Good growth was seen on concentrations of sulphate or thiosulphate as low as 10 microM. When pregrown on and subsequently starved for sulphate, the meningococcus showed enhanced transport capacity for this ion. Optimal conditions for assessing sulphur transport by active sulphur-limited cells were determined. The maximal sulphate uptake velocity was 9.3 nmol sulphate X mg protein-1 X min-1, and the apparent Km was 1.4 microM, far below human nasopharyngeal or serum sulphate levels.
Related Concept Videos
2° Amines to N-Nitrosamines: Reaction with NaNO2
Sulfur Assimilation
Microbes and the Sulfur Cycle
Bacterial Meningitis
Bacterial Meningitis I: Introduction
Bacterial Meningitis II: Pathophysiology

