Expression and phase variation of gonococcal P.II genes in Escherichia coli involves ribosomal frameshifting and slipped-strand mispairing

Neisseria gonorrhoeae physiology and pathogenesis

Neisseria gonorrhoeae is an obligate human pathogen that is the cause of the sexually transmitted disease gonorrhoea. Recently, there has been a surge in gonorrhoea cases that has been exacerbated by the rapid rise in gonococcal multidrug resistance to all useful antimicrobials resulting in this organism becoming a significant public health burden. Therefore, there is a clear and present need to understand the organism's biology through its physiology and pathogenesis to help develop new intervention strategies. The gonococcus initially colonises and adheres to host mucosal surfaces utilising a type IV pilus that helps with microcolony formation. Other adhesion strategies include the porin, PorB, and the phase variable outer membrane protein Opa. The gonococcus is able to subvert complement mediated killing and opsonisation by sialylation of its lipooligosaccharide and deploys a series of anti-phagocytic mechanisms. N. gonorrhoeae is a fastidious organism that is able to grow on a limited number of primary carbon sources such as glucose and lactate. The utilization of lactate by the gonococcus has been implicated in a number of pathogenicity mechanisms. The bacterium lives mainly in microaerobic environments and can grow both aerobically and anaerobically with the aid of nitrite. The gonococcus does not produce siderophores for scavenging iron but can utilize some produced by other bacteria, and it is able to successful chelate iron from host haem, transferrin and lactoferrin. The gonococcus is an incredibly versatile human pathogen; in the following chapter, we detail the intricate mechanisms used by the bacterium to invade and survive within the host.

Antigenic Variation in Bacterial Pathogens

Antigenic variation is a strategy used by a broad diversity of microbial pathogens to persist within the mammalian host. Whereas viruses make use of a minimal proofreading capacity combined with large amounts of progeny to use random mutation for variant generation, antigenically variant bacteria have evolved mechanisms which use a stable genome, which aids in protecting the fitness of the progeny. Here, three well-characterized and highly antigenically variant bacterial pathogens are discussed: Anaplasma, Borrelia, and Neisseria. These three pathogens display a variety of mechanisms used to create the structural and antigenic variation needed for immune escape and long-term persistence. Intrahost antigenic variation is the focus; however, the role of these immune escape mechanisms at the population level is also presented.

The biology of Neisseria adhesins

Members of the genus Neisseria include pathogens causing important human diseases such as meningitis, septicaemia, gonorrhoea and pelvic inflammatory disease syndrome. Neisseriae are found on the exposed epithelia of the upper respiratory tract and the urogenital tract. Colonisation of these exposed epithelia is dependent on a repertoire of diverse bacterial molecules, extending not only from the surface of the bacteria but also found within the outer membrane. During invasive disease, pathogenic Neisseriae also interact with immune effector cells, vascular endothelia and the meninges. Neisseria adhesion involves the interplay of these multiple surface factors and in this review we discuss the structure and function of these important molecules and the nature of the host cell receptors and mechanisms involved in their recognition. We also describe the current status for recently identified Neisseria adhesins. Understanding the biology of Neisseria adhesins has an impact not only on the development of new vaccines but also in revealing fundamental knowledge about human biology.

Relative contributions of recombination and mutation to the diversification of the opa gene repertoire of Neisseria gonorrhoeae

To understand the rates and mechanisms of Neisseria gonorrhoeae opa gene variation, the 11 opa genes were amplified independently so that an opa allelic profile could be defined for any isolate from the sequences at each locus. The opa allelic profiles from 14 unrelated isolates were all different, with no opa alleles shared between isolates. Examination of very closely related isolates from sexual contacts and sexual networks showed that these typically shared most opa alleles, and the mechanisms by which recent changes occurred at individual opa loci could be determined. The great majority of changes were due to recombination among existing alleles that duplicated an opa allele present at another locus or resulted in a mosaic of existing opa alleles. Single nucleotide changes or insertion/deletion of a single codon also occurred, but few of these events were assigned to mutation, the majority being assigned to localized recombination. Introduction of novel opa genes from coinfecting strains was rare, and all but one were observed in the same sexual network. Changes at opa loci occurred at a greater rate than those at the porin locus, and the opa11 locus changed more rapidly than other opa loci, almost always differing even between recent sexual contacts. Examination of the neighboring pilE gene showed that changes at opa11 and pilE often occurred together, although this linkage may not be a causal one.

Neisseria gonorrhoeae secretes chromosomal DNA via a novel type IV secretion system

The process of DNA donation for natural transformation of bacteria is poorly understood and has been assumed to involve bacterial cell death. Recently in Neisseria gonorrhoeae we found that mutations in three genes in the gonococcal genetic island (GGI) reduced the ability of a strain to act as a donor in transformation and to release DNA into the culture. To better characterize the GGI and the process of DNA donation, the 57 kb genetic island was cloned, sequenced and subjected to insertional mutagenesis. DNA sequencing revealed that the GGI has characteristics of a horizontally acquired genomic island and encodes homologues of type IV secretion system proteins. The GGI was found to be incorporated near the chromosomal replication terminus at the dif site, a sequence targeted by the site-specific recombinase XerCD. Using a plasmid carrying a small region of the GGI and the associated dif site, we demonstrated that this model island could be integrated at the dif site in strains not carrying the GGI and was spontaneously excised from that site. Also, we were able to delete the entire 57 kb region by transformation with DNA from a strain lacking the GGI. Thus the GGI was likely acquired and integrated into the gonococcal chromosome by site-specific recombination and may be lost by site-specific recombination or natural transformation. We made mutations in six putative type IV secretion system genes and assayed these strains for the ability to secrete DNA. Five of the mutations greatly reduced or completely eliminated DNA secretion. Our data indicate that N. gonorrhoeae secretes DNA via a specific process. Donated DNA may be used in natural transformation, contributing to antigenic variation and the spread of antibiotic resistance, and it may modulate the host immune response.

Neisseria gonorrhoeae kills carcinoembryonic antigen-related cellular adhesion molecule 1 (CD66a)-expressing human B cells and inhibits antibody production

Neisseria gonorrhoeae cells (gonococci [GC]), the etiological agents for gonorrhea, can cause repeated infections. During and after gonococcal infection, local and systemic antigonococcal antibody levels are low. These clinical data indicate the possibility that GC may suppress immune responses during infection. Carcinoembryonic antigen-related cellular adhesion molecule 1 (CEACAM1 or CD66a), a receptor for GC opacity (Opa) proteins, was shown to mediate inhibitory signals. In the present study, human B cells were activated by interleukin-2 to express CEACAM1 and then stimulated to secrete antibodies and simultaneously coincubated with Opa- and OpaI GC of strain MS11. Our results show that this OpaI GC has the ability to inhibit antibody production. The interaction of GC and CEACAM1 with human peripheral B cells also results in induction of cell death. The same findings were observed in DT40 B cells. This CEACAM1-promoted cell death pathway does not involve the inhibitory signals or the tyrosine phosphatases SHP-1 and SHP-2 but depends on Bruton's tyrosine kinase in DT40 cells. Our results suggest that Neisseria gonorrhoeae possesses the ability to suppress antibody production by killing CEACAM1-expressing B cells.

Identification of Francisella tularensis genes encoding exported membrane-associated proteins using TnphoA mutagenesis of a genomic library

Francisella tularensis, the causative agent of tularemia, is a highly infectious pathogen of humans and animals, yet little is known about the surface proteins of this organism that mediate mechanisms of pathogenicity. lambdaTnphoA was used to generate random alkaline phosphatase gene fusions in a F. tularensis subsp. tularensis (strain Schu S4) genomic library to identify genes encoding exported extracytoplasmic proteins. Eleven genes encoding membrane-associated proteins were identified by this method and their respective signal peptides were characterized. Three of the genes encoded conserved 'housekeeping' enzymes, while the other eight genes were unique to F. tularensis, encoding proteins with molecular masses ranging from 11 to 78kDa as deduced from the amino acid sequences. Two genes putatively encoded lipoproteins based on the presence of characteristic signal peptidase II cleavage sites. Four selected proteins were found associated with outer membranes from Schu S4 and LVS strains by Western blotting. Indirect immunofluorescence of strain Schu S4 cells also showed evidence of protein localization to the outer membrane. Protein database searches produced significant alignments with proteins from other bacteria involved in carbohydrate transport, lipid metabolism, and cell envelope biogenesis, thereby providing clues for putative functions. These findings demonstrated that TnphoA mutagenesis can be used in conjunction with F. tularensis genome sequence data to provide a foundation for studies to identify and define cellular surface protein virulence factors of this pathogen.

Phase and antigenic variation in bacteria

Phase and antigenic variation result in a heterogenic phenotype of a clonal bacterial population, in which individual cells either express the phase-variable protein(s) or not, or express one of multiple antigenic forms of the protein, respectively. This form of regulation has been identified mainly, but by no means exclusively, for a wide variety of surface structures in animal pathogens and is implicated as a virulence strategy. This review provides an overview of the many bacterial proteins and structures that are under the control of phase or antigenic variation. The context is mainly within the role of the proteins and variation for pathogenesis, which reflects the main body of literature. The occurrence of phase variation in expression of genes not readily recognizable as virulence factors is highlighted as well, to illustrate that our current knowledge is incomplete. From recent genome sequence analysis, it has become clear that phase variation may be more widespread than is currently recognized, and a brief discussion is included to show how genome sequence analysis can provide novel information, as well as its limitations. The current state of knowledge of the molecular mechanisms leading to phase variation and antigenic variation are reviewed, and the way in which these mechanisms form part of the general regulatory network of the cell is addressed. Arguments both for and against a role of phase and antigenic variation in immune evasion are presented and put into new perspective by distinguishing between a role in bacterial persistence in a host and a role in facilitating evasion of cross-immunity. Finally, examples are presented to illustrate that phase-variable gene expression should be taken into account in the development of diagnostic assays and in the interpretation of experimental results and epidemiological studies.

Experimentally revised repertoire of putative contingency loci in Neisseria meningitidis strain MC58: evidence for a novel mechanism of phase variation

Analysis of the genome sequence of Neisseria meningitidis strain MC58 revealed 65 genes associated with simple sequence repeats. Experimental evidence of phase variation exists for only 14 of these 65 putatively phase variable genes. We investigated the phase variable potential of the remaining 51 genes. The repeat tract associated with 20 of these 51 genes was sequenced in 26 genetically distinct strains. This analysis provided circumstantial evidence for or against the phase variability of the candidate genes, based on the sequence and the length of the repeated motif. These predictions of phase variability were substantiated for three of these candidate genes using colony immunoblotting or beta-galactosidase as a reporter. This investigation identified a novel phase variable gene (NMB1994 or nadA) associated with a repeat tract (TAAA) not previously reported to be associated with phase variable genes in N. meningitidis. Analysis of the nadA transcript revealed that the repeat tract was located upstream of the putative -35 element of the nadA promoter. Semiquantitative RT-PCR showed that variation in the number of repeats was associated with changes in the level of expression of nadA, findings consistent with a model whereby the variable number of (TAAA) repeats modulates the promoter strength.

Immunological and genetic characterization of Borrelia burgdorferi BapA and EppA proteins

A large majority of examined Lyme disease spirochaete isolates were demonstrated to contain one or both of the paralogous genes bapA and eppA. Immunological analyses of serum samples collected from infected patients coupled with comparative sequence analyses indicated that bapA gene sequences are quite stable but the encoded proteins do not provoke a strong immune response in most individuals. Conversely, EppA proteins are much more antigenic but vary widely in sequence between different bacteria. Considerable evidence of insertion, deletion and other mutations within eppA genes was observed. A number of significant recombination events were also found to have occurred in regions flanking bapA genes, while the genes themselves rarely exhibited evidence of mutation, suggesting strong selective pressure to maintain BapA sequences within narrow limits. Data from these and other studies suggest important roles for BapA and EppA during the Borrelia burgdorferi infectious cycle.

Unique regulation of SclB - a novel collagen-like surface protein of Streptococcus pyogenes

Slipped-strand mispairing at sites containing so-called coding repeats (CRs) can lead to phase variation of surface proteins in Gram-negative bacteria. This mechanism, believed to contribute to virulence, has so far not been identified in a Gram-positive bacterium. In the genome of the Gram-positive human pathogen Streptococcus pyogenes, we identified pentanucleotide CRs within a putative signal sequence of an open reading frame (ORF) encoding a novel collagen-like surface protein, denoted SclB. In 12 S. pyogenes strains, the number of CRs in the sclB gene varied from three to 19, rendering the start codon in frame with the downstream ORF in four strains and out of frame in eight strains. A protein reacting with anti-SclB antibodies could only be solubilized from three strains, all containing an intact sclB gene. Variations in the number of CRs were observed within strains of the same M serotype and occurred during growth of S. pyogenes in fresh human blood, but not in medium. The SclB protein has a hypervariable N-terminal part, a collagen-like central part and a typical cell wall sorting sequence containing the LPXTGX motif. SclB is related to the collagen-like SclA and is, like SclA, involved in the adhesion of S. pyogenes bacteria to human cells. However, the Mga protein, known to upregulate sclA and several additional genes encoding virulence factors of S. pyogenes, downregulates sclB transcription. This observation and the potential of SclB to phase vary by slipped-strand mispairing emphasize the unique regulation of this novel S. pyogenes surface protein.

VraA (BBI16) protein of Borrelia burgdorferi is a surface-exposed antigen with a repetitive motif that confers partial protection against experimental Lyme borreliosis

We have previously described the expression cloning of nine Borrelia burgdorferi antigens, using rabbit serum enriched for antibodies specific for infection-associated antigens, and determined that seven of these antigens were associated with infectious B. burgdorferi strain B31. One of these infection-associated antigens encoded a 451-amino-acid putative lipoprotein containing 21 consecutive and invariant 9-amino-acid repeat sequences near the amino terminus that we have designated VraA for virulent strain-associated repetitive antigen A. The vraA locus (designated BBI16 by The Institute for Genomic Research) maps to one of the 28-kb linear plasmids (designated lp28-4) that is not present in noninfectious strain B31 isolates. Subsequent PCR analysis of clonal isolates of B. burgdorferi B31 from infected mouse skin revealed a clone that lacked only lp28-4. Southern blot and Western blot analyses indicated that the lp28-4 and VraA proteins, respectively, were missing from this clone. We have also determined that VraA is a surface-exposed protein based on protease accessibility assays of intact whole cells. Furthermore, vraA expression is modestly derepressed when cells are grown at 37 degrees C relative to cells grown at 32 degrees C, suggesting that VraA is, in part, a temperature-inducible antigen. Homologues cross-reactive to B. burgdorferi B31 VraA, most with different molecular masses, were identified in several B. burgdorferi sensu lato isolates, including B. andersonii, suggesting that the immunogenic epitope(s) present in strain B31 VraA is conserved between Borrelia spp. In protection studies, only 8.3% of mice (1 of 12) immunized with full-length recombinant VraA fused to glutathione S-transferase (GST) were susceptible to infectious challenge with 10(2) B. burgdorferi strain B31, whereas naive mice or mice immunized with GST alone were infected 40% or 63 to 67% (depending on tissues assayed) of the time, respectively. As such, the partial protection elicited by VraA immunization provides an additional testable vaccine candidate to help protect against Lyme borreliosis.

Effect of alpha-oligosaccharide phenotype of Neisseria gonorrhoeae strain MS11 on invasion of Chang conjunctival, HEC-1-B endometrial, and ME-180 cervical cells

The genes encoding the glycosyltransferases responsible for the addition of the five sugars in the alpha-oligosaccharide (alpha-OS) moiety of lipooligosaccharide (LOS) have been identified. Disruption of these glycosyltransferase genes singly or in combination results in corresponding truncations in LOS. In the present work we show that sequential deletion of the terminal four sugar residues of gonococcal alpha-OS had no discernible effect on the invasion of human conjunctival, endometrial, and cervical cell lines. However, deletion of the proximal glucose, which resulted in the complete deletion of alpha-OS, significantly impaired invasion of the gonococci into all three cell lines. The effect of deleting alpha-OS on invasion was independent of and additive to the known invasion-promoting factor OpaA. These data suggest that the proximal glucose residue of the alpha-OS chain of LOS is required for efficient invasion of gonococci into host mucosa.

Neisseria gonorrhoeae MS11mkC opacity protein expression in vitro and during human volunteer infectivity studies

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Neisseria gonorrhoeae MS11mkC harbors 11 independently expressed opacity (Opa) protein genes with distinct in vitro expression frequencies. In experimental infections in which human male volunteers were inoculated with transparent (Opa), piliated (P+) strains, the authors associate onset of symptoms with recovery of opaque (Opa+) gonococci.

GOALS

In vitro and recovered (Opa) protein expression rates were compared to determine if the human host influences Opa expression.

STUDY DESIGN

Opa expression was determined using Western immunoblot analysis; Opa sizes were determined using a scanning densitometer.

RESULTS

Seven of 10 Opa proteins were identified in gonococci recovered from all of the volunteers at frequencies consistent with in vitro results (Opa C, 29.5 kDa; Opa K, 30 kDa; Opa G, 31 kDa; Opa I, 32 kDa; Opa J, 33 kDa; Opa D, 34 kDa; and Opa H, 37 kDa) (P > or = 0.01, Fisher exact test). Opa B (30.5 kDa) was identified at lower than expected frequencies, whereas Opa E (31.2) and F (31.5) were identified at higher' than expected frequencies. When recovered gonococci were reanalyzed for in vitro expression frequencies, they were consistent with preinfection frequencies.

CONCLUSIONS

The host may influence the prevalence of some Opa proteins.

Phase variation of the gonococcal siderophore receptor FetA

FetA, the recently characterized gonococcal ferric enterobactin receptor, exhibited extremely rapid phase variation between high- and low-expression levels. The frequency of phase variation was approximately 1.3% in both directions in gonococcal strain FA1090. FetA expression in the 'high phase' was significantly greater than the level of expression in the 'low phase'. Expression levels correlated with the number of cytosine residues in a string of cytosines located close to the transcriptional start site for fetA between the putative -10 and -35 consensus sequences. Antibody production against FetA commonly occurs in infected patients, and we therefore hypothesize that phase variation reflects a balance between the advantages of being able to use a ferric siderophore as an iron source and evasion of the host immune response.

Mutational analysis of the promoter region of the porA gene of Neisseria meningitidis

The porA gene encodes the class 1 outer membrane protein (OMP1) in Neisseria meningitidis and is under transcriptional control. Promoter regions of porA from different clinical isolates were sequenced and were found to differ in the number of guanosine residues in a poly(G) track located upstream of the -10 region. Isolates that did not express OMP1 had up to nine G residues in the poly(G) track or an adenosine residue within this poly(G) track. Using beta-galactosidase as a reporter gene, the transcriptional activities of the promoter regions of the porA gene from three strains, two of which do not express OMP1, were assayed in both Escherichia coli and N. meningitidis. Mutations in the poly(G) track were created by site-directed mutagenesis and promoter fusions were further analyzed in E. coli and N. meningitidis. The number of nucleotides in the poly(G) track influenced promoter activity: reduction of a poly(G) track of 12nt by one and by two guanosine residues reduced promoter activity. Within the poly(G) track, replacement of an adenosine residue by a guanosine residue increased the promoter activity; replacement of a guanosine residue by an adenosine residue decreased the activity. The similar transcriptional activities for the mutated promoters in E. coli and N. meningitidis are compatible with similar control mechanisms for transcriptional control in both organisms.

HmbR, a hemoglobin-binding outer membrane protein of Neisseria meningitidis, undergoes phase variation

Neisseria meningitidis uses hemoglobin (Hb) as an iron source via two TonB-dependent outer membrane receptors, HmbR and HpuB. Analysis of 25 epidemiologically unrelated clinical isolates from serogroups A, B, C, and Y revealed that 64% strains possessed both Hb receptor genes. Examination of the hmbR expression pattern in strains in which the hpuB gene was genetically inactivated revealed two distinct Hb utilization phenotypes. Five strains retained the ability to grow as a confluent lawn, while seven grew only as single colonies around Hb discs. The single-colony phenotype observed for some hpuB mutants is suggestive of phase variation of hmbR. The length of the poly(G) tract starting at position +1164 of hmbR absolutely correlated with the two Hb utilization phenotypes. All five strains that grew as confluent lawns around Hb discs possessed either 9 or 12 consecutive G residues. All seven strains that grew as single colonies around Hb discs had poly(G) tracts of a length other than 9 or 12. These single-colony variants that arose around the Hb discs had poly(G) tracts with either 9 or 12 consecutive G residues restoring the hmbR reading frame. Inactivation of hmbR in these strains resulted in a loss of Hb utilization, demonstrating that the change in the hmbR gene was responsible for the phenotypic switch. The switching rates from hmbR phase off to phase on were approximately 5 x 10(-4) in four serogroup C strains, 2 x 10(-2) in the serogroup A isolate, and 7 x 10(-6) in the serogroup B isolate.

Recombinational reassortment among opa genes from ET-37 complex Neisseria meningitidis isolates of diverse geographical origins

Opacity (Opa) proteins are a family of antigenically variable outer-membrane proteins of Neisseria meningitidis. ET-37 complex meningococci, defined by multilocus enzyme electrophoresis, have been isolated on different continents. Twenty-six different Opa proteins have been observed within strains of the ET-37 complex isolated between the 1960s and the 1980s, although individual strains have only four opa genes per chromosome. In this work the opa genes of four closely related ET-37 complex N. meningitidis strains recently isolated from Mali, West Africa were characterized and compared with the opa genes of strain FAM18, an ET-37 complex isolate from the USA. DNA sequence analysis and Southern blot experiments indicated that recombinational reassortment, including gene duplication and import by horizontal genetic exchange, has occurred in the opa genes within the ET-37 complex, resulting in two partially different Opa repertoires being present in FAM18 and the Mali isolates. Using synthetic peptides derived from the hypervariable (HV) regions of opa genes, the epitopes for nine mAbs were mapped. These bacteria, isolated on different continents, contain both shared and unique opa HV regions encoding epitopes recognized by mAbs and show evidence of recombinational reassortment of the HV regions.

Genome plasticity in Neisseria gonorrhoeae

The pathogenic Neisseria have exploited the processes of horizontal DNA transfer and genetic recombination as mechanisms for the generation of extensive protein variation and modulation of gene expression. Localized recombinations have been well documented in members of multigene families as have alterations in short repetitive sequences. Here we report an analysis of the chromosomal structure of a defined lineage of Neisseria gonorrhoeae strain MSl1 pilin variants. This study reveals the occurrence of large rearrangements, including the amplification of a 26 kb region and an inversion involving more than a third of the chromosome. Additionally, a restriction site polymorphism that correlates with pilin expression has been observed. These findings highlight the flexibility of the gonococcal genome.

Tetrameric repeat units associated with virulence factor phase variation in Haemophilus also occur in Neisseria spp. and Moraxella catarrhalis

The tetrameric repeat units 5'-CAAT-3' and 5'-GCAA-3' are associated with phase variable expression of lipopolysaccharide biosynthetic genes in Haemophilus influenzae. Four other tetrameric repeat units have also been reported from H. influenzae strain Rd, 5'-CAAC-3', 5'-GACA-3', 5'-AGCT-3', and 5'-TTTA-3', which are also associated with putative virulence factors. Using oligonucleotide probes corresponding to five tandem copies of each of these tetramers, we have screened three strains of Neisseria meningitidis and one each of Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Neisseria lactamica, Haemophilus parainfluenzae, Bordetella pertussis, Bordetella parapertussis, Bordetella bronchiceptica and Moraxella catarrhalis for the presence of these motifs. We have demonstrated the presence of multiple copies of the 5'-GCAA-3' motif in all the Neisseria strains tested, and also the repeated motif 5'-CAAC-3' in M. catarrhalis. We have further demonstrated by Southern blot analysis that the 5'-CAAC-3' repeats detected in M. catarrhalis are probably associated with the same genes as in H. influenzae, but that the 5'-GCAA-3' motifs in N. meningitidis are not. The use of characterised tetrameric DNA sequences as hybridisation probes may prove useful in the identification of novel phase variable virulence determinants in organisms other than H. influenzae.

Interaction of pathogenic neisseriae with nonphagocytic cells

The ability to interact with nonphagocytic cells is a crucial virulence attribute of the meningococcus and the genococcus. Like most bacterial pathogens, Neisseria meningitidis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae initiate infections by colonizing the mucosal epithelium, which serves as the site of entry. After this step, both bacteria cross the intact mucosal barrier. While N. gonorrhoeae is likely to remain in the subepithelial matrix, where it initiates an intense inflammatory reaction, N. meningitidis enters the bloodstream, and eventually the cerebrospinal fluid to cause meningitis. Both pathogens have evolved very similar mechanisms for interacting with host cells. Surface structures that influence bacterium-host interactions include pili, the meningococcal class 5 outer membrane proteins or the gonococcal opacity proteins, lipooligosaccharide, and the meningococcal capsule. This review examines what is known about the roles these structures play in bacterial adhesion and invasion, with special emphasis, on pilus-mediated adhesion. Finally, the importance of these structures in neisserial pathogenesis is discussed.

Variable expression of the Opc outer membrane protein in Neisseria meningitidis is caused by size variation of a promoter containing poly-cytidine

Opa proteins of Neisseria meningitidis exhibit translational phase variation via addition or deletion of repetitive coding repeat units within the DNA encoding the protein leader sequence. In contrast, Opc phase variation is the result of transcriptional regulation. Transcription starts 13 nucleotides after the -10 region of an unusual promoter sequence containing a variable number of contiguous cytidine residues and lacking a -35 region. Efficient expression of Opc occurred in strains with 12 to 13 cytidine residues, intermediate expression in strains with 11 or 14 residues and no expression with < or = 10 or > or = 15 residues. This unusual regulation may have evolved because the Opc protein enables meningococcal invasion and is immunogenic.

Microevolution within a clonal population of pathogenic bacteria: recombination, gene duplication and horizontal genetic exchange in the opa gene family of Neisseria meningitidis

Opacity (Opa) proteins are a family of antigenically variable outer-membrane proteins of Neisseria meningitidis. Even among clonally related epidemic meningococcal isolates, there is greater variation of Opa protein expression than can be accounted for by the opa gene repertoire of any individual strain. We characterized the opa genes of eight closely related isolates of serogroup A N. meningitidis (subgroup IV-1) from a recent meningitis epidemic in West Africa. DNA sequence analysis and Southern blot experiments indicated that changes occurred in the opa genes of these bacteria as they spread through the human population, over a relatively short period of time. Such changes in one or a few loci within a clonal population are referred to as microevolution. The distribution of sequences present in hypervariable (HV) regions of the opa genes suggests that duplication of all or part of opa genes into other opa loci changed the repertoire of Opa proteins that could be expressed. Additional variability in this gene family appears to have been introduced by horizontal exchange of opa sequences from other meningococcal strains and from Neisseria gonorrhoeae. These results indicate that processes of recombination and genetic exchange contributed to variability in major surface antigens of this clonal population of pathogenic bacteria.

Multiple gonococcal opacity proteins are expressed during experimental urethral infection in the male

The opacity (Opa) proteins of Neisseria gonorrhoeae are a family of outer membrane proteins demonstrating phase and antigenic variation. N. gonorrhoeae strain FA0190 has 11 opa loci that encode at least 8 antigenically distinct Opa proteins. To determine if expression of one Opa protein or a subset of them is favored during gonococcal infection, we inoculated Opa-negative variants of strain FA1090 intraurethrally into male volunteers. The Opa phenotype of gonococci isolated from urine and urethral swab cultures from nine infected subjects was determined. Opa proteins were expressed in a large proportion of the reisolates from the infected subjects. Gonococci cultured from urine or urethral swab samples from six of the subjects were uniformly Opa positive, with the predominant Opa variants differing among subjects. Three different Opa proteins were represented as the predominant type in at least one subject each. In three subjects, there was more heterogeneity in Opa phenotype of the reisolates, including the presence of Opa-negative variants. An increase in the proportion of isolates expressing multiple Opa proteins occurred over time in most subjects. Passage of the inoculum in vitro did not result in similar changes in Opa expression. There was no detectable difference in infectivity of an Opa-negative variant and one expressing an Opa protein (OpaF) that was highly represented in reisolates from the original nine subjects. Reisolates from three infected volunteers inoculated with the OpaF variant showed continued expression of OpaF alone or in conjunction with other Opa proteins. These results demonstrate that there is strong selection for expression of one or more Opa proteins by strain FA1090 in vivo, but that no single protein is preferentially expressed during early infection in the male urethra.

Neisserial surface variation: how and why?

Neisseria gonorrhoeae exhibits striking variability in several of its surface components (pili, Opa proteins and lipooligosaccharide) in vivo and in vitro. Such flagrant variation of this mucosal pathogen's surface components contrasts sharply with changes in single surface components of blood-borne trypanosomes and borreliae. Despite these differences, similar molecular events are sometimes involved.

Use of chromosomal gene fusions to investigate the role of repetitive DNA in regulation of genes involved in lipopolysaccharide biosynthesis in Haemophilus influenzae

The lic3 locus of Haemophilus influenzae consists of four open reading frames. The derived amino acid sequences of orf2 and orf4 exhibit homology to Escherichia coli GalE and AdK, respectively. The functions of orf1 and orf3 remain unknown. orf1 contains multiple tandem repeats of the tetrameric DNA sequence CAAT near the 5' end. Two possible translational starts (ATG1 and ATG2) lie upstream. We have used lacZ fusions to investigate whether changes in the number of CAAT repeats in conjunction with differential usage of the upstream frames control the expression of lic3-orf1. Phase-variable expression of lacZ was observed for individual colonies and could be related to variable numbers of CAAT repeats. Of the three possible upstream frames, only one, containing the more downstream of the two possible ATG start codons (ATG2), is used for strong expression of lacZ. Utilization of the more upstream ATG (ATG1) or ATG2 was observed with medium-level expression, while utilization of any of the three possible frames was observed when lacZ was expressed at low to undetectable levels, indicating that other mechanisms may affect expression. To investigate this, lacZ was fused in frame with ATG2 of lic3-orf1, with concomitant deletion of the repeats. Phase-variable expression was still observed, supporting the view that an alternative level of control operates in conjunction with the repeat mechanism.

Human neutrophil response to recombinant neisserial Opa proteins

Interactions of human neutrophils with recombinant Escherichia coli expressing gonococcal outer membrane Opa proteins were examined using chemiluminescent and biological assays. Seven opa loci from Neisseria gonorrhoeae MS11 4.8 were expressed as beta-lactamase-Opa fusion proteins that contained all but the mature N-terminal amino acid of the full-length Opa protein fused to three N-terminal amino acids derived from the mature beta-lactamase. The Opa fusion proteins were exported and assembled in the outer membrane of E. coli in a manner similar to that of Opa in N. gonorrhoeae, as evaluated by antibody binding and in situ proteolytic cleavage. All fusion proteins exhibited the characteristic heat-modifiable migration in SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis that typifies Opa proteins of neisseriae. Opa fusion proteins conferred on E. coli the ability to stimulate a chemiluminescent response from human neutrophils in the absence of antibody or complement. The nature of the response in terms of chemiluminescence, phagocytosis, and killing was in all cases analogous to that seen using N. gonorrhoeae expressing the equivalent Opa protein. Neither E. coli nor gonococci expressing OpaA elicited a response from neutrophils. Use of E. coli expressing Opa fusions should be useful in defining their biological activities and pathogenic roles.

Prevalence of gene sequences coding for hypervariable regions of Opa (protein II) in Neisseria gonorrhoeae

Opas (protein IIs) are a family of surface-exposed proteins of Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Each strain of N. gonorrhoeae has multiple (10-11) genes encoding for Opas. Identifiable elements in opa genes include the coding repeat within the signal sequence, conserve 5' and 3' regions, and hypervariable regions (HV1 and HV2) located within the structural gene. N. gonorrhoeae strains appear to have many biological properties in common that are either HV-region-mediated or associated with the presence of specific HV regions, suggesting that HV regions could be found in many clinical isolates. Oligonucleotides from three source strains representing three conserved regions of opa, 12 HV1 regions, and 14 HV2 regions were used by dot blot analysis to probe 120 clinical isolates of N. gonorrhoeae. The probe for the coding repeat hybridized to all 120 strains, the 3' conserved-region probe reacted with 98% of the strains, and the 5' conserved-region probe with 90% of the strains. Nine HV1 probes hybridized to 3.3-39.2% of the strains, and 13 of the HV2 probes hybridized to 1.7-25% of the isolates. Analysis of the number of probes that hybridized to each of the isolates showed that 19% did not hybridize with any of the HV1 probes and 25% did not hybridize with any of the HV2 probes. Approximately three-quarters of the isolates hybridized with one, two or three of the HV1 probes or one, two or three of the HV2 probes; 89% of the isolates hybridized to least one HV1 or one HV2 probe. The data indicate that some genes encoding HV regions of N. gonorrhoeae Opa proteins are widely distributed in nature.

H-DNA formation by the coding repeat elements of neisserial opa genes

The coding repeat region of opa genes from Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Neisseria meningitidis determines the expression state of their respective genes through high-frequency addition of deletion of pentanucleotide coding repeat units (CRs; CTTCT). In vitro analyses of cloned opa gene CR regions using single-strand specific nucleases, oligonucleotide protection experiments, and modifications of non-B-DNA residues indicate that the regions form structures resembling H-DNA under acidic conditions in the presence of negative supercoiling. The purine/pyrimidine strand bias and H-palindromic nature of the repeat region are consistent with sequence requirements for H-DNA formation. Sequences flanking the repeat elements are required to form the H-DNA structure in vitro as judged by the pattern of exposed non-B-DNA residues in CR sequences synthesized as oligonucleotides to form beta-galactosidase::CR translational fusions. The fusions phase vary by addition and deletion of CR elements and the rate of phase variation increases upon induction of the fusion genes. The opa gene CR region is the first reported bacterial H-DNA structure and is unique in that it lies within the coding sequence for the gene.

Physical and genetic map of the Neisseria gonorrhoeae strain MS11-N198 chromosome

A macro-restriction map of the Neisseria gonorrhoeae chromosome was constructed using the enzymes Nhel and Spel. Combinations of one- and two-dimensional electrophoresis of completely or partially digested chromosomal DNA were performed to align the restriction fragments. The chromosome is circular, with an estimated size of 2.33 Mb +/- 35 kb. A genetic map was derived from the physical map; positions of over 60 defined loci were determined by Southern hybridization.

The opacity proteins of Neisseria gonorrhoeae strain MS11 are encoded by a family of 11 complete genes

Variants of Neisseria gonorrhoeae MS11 show distinct colony morphologies because of the expression of a class of surface components called opacity (Opa, PII) proteins. Southern analyses combined with molecular cloning of genomic DNA from a single variant of MS11 has identified 11 opa genes contained in separate loci. These opa genes code for distinct opacity proteins which are distinguishable at their variable domains. The opa gene analyses were also extended to divergent variants of MS11. These studies have shown that, during in vitro and in vivo culture, 10 of the 11 opa genes did not undergo significant change in their primary sequence. However, in these variants, one gene (opaE) underwent non-reciprocal inter-opa recombinations to generate newer Opa variants. Phylogenic analysis of the opa gene sequences suggests that the opa gene family have evolved by a combination of gene duplication, gene replacement and partial inter-opa recombination events.

In situ expression and localization of Neisseria gonorrhoeae opacity proteins in infected epithelial cells: apparent role of Opa proteins in cellular invasion

During natural infection, gonococcal opacity proteins (Opa) undergo rapid phase variation, but how this phenomenon contributes to the virulence of the bacteria is not well understood. In the present immunomorphological study we examined the actual Opa status of individual gonococci during various stages of gonococcal infection of Chang epithelial cells, by probing ultrathin sections of infected specimens with Opa-specific monoclonal antibodies. Our results demonstrate a heterogeneous Opa expression during the initial interaction of the bacteria, but an almost 100% expression of one of the probed Opas during their secondary attachment and entry into the host cells, suggesting a role for distinct Opas in cellular penetration. The association between Opa expression, tight attachment, and bacterial invasion into the host cells could be confirmed with isogenic variants that expressed different Opa proteins. Once inside the epithelial cells, both morphologically intact, Opa positive and morphologically disintegrated, Opa negative bacteria were observed. The loss of Opa immunoreactivity in intracellular gonococci could not be related to the presence of a particular Opa protein, but could be mimicked by incubating the organisms with extracts of sonicated uninfected epithelial cells, suggesting that it was caused by host cell proteolytic activity. Taken together, our data suggest that Opa phase transitions confer a functional adaptation of the bacteria enabling host cell penetration.

Characterization of the opa (class 5) gene family of Neisseria meningitidis

Class 5 outer membrane proteins of Neisseria meningitidis show both phase- and antigenic variation of expression. The proteins are encoded by a family of opa genes that share a conserved framework interspersed with three variable regions, designated the semivariable (SV) region and hypervariable regions 1 (HV1) and 2 (HV2). In this study, we determined the number and DNA sequence of all of the opa genes of meningococcal strain FAM18, to assess the structural and antigenic variability in the family of proteins made by one strain. Pulsed field electrophoresis and Southern blotting showed that there are four opa genes in the FAM18 chromosome, and that they are not tightly clustered. DNA sequence analysis of the four cloned genes showed a modest degree of diversity in the SV region and more extensive differences in the HV1 and HV2 regions. There were four versions of HV1 and three versions of HV2 among the four genes. Each of the FAM18 opa loci contained a gene with a unique combination of SV, HV1, and HV2 sequences. We used lambda gt11 cloning and synthetic peptides to demonstrate that HV2 sequences completely encode the epitopes for two monoclonal antibodies specific for different class 5 proteins of FAM18.

Molecular cloning of a gene involved in lipooligosaccharide biosynthesis and virulence expression by Haemophilus influenzae type B

A wild-type Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) genomic DNA library was constructed in the plasmid shuttle vector pGJB103. A virulence-deficient lipooligosaccharide (LOS) mutant of Hib was used as a recipient for genetic transformation to screen this Hib genomic DNA library for genes involved in LOS expression. A recombinant plasmid containing a 7.8 kb PstI fragment of Hib DNA was shown to transform this LOS mutant to reactivity with a monoclonal antibody (mAb) specific for a wild-type LOS epitope. Transformation of two different virulence-deficient LOS mutants with a 4.4 kb BglII fragment of this recombinant plasmid yielded transformants which expressed LOS that bound the wild-type LOS-specific mAb and yielded profiles in sodium dodecyl sulphate/polyacrylamide gradient gel electrophoresis different from those of the original LOS mutants. These transformants with structurally altered LOS molecules also exhibited increased virulence in an animal model for invasive Hib disease. The virulence-transforming ability was further localized to a 1.8 kb BglII-AlwNI fragment of the Hib DNA insert. Nucleotide sequence analysis indicated the presence of a single large open reading frame within this fragment. This open reading frame contained 19 consecutive repeats of the tetramer CAAT near the 5' end. Linker insertion mutagenesis was used to demonstrate directly the involvement of this open reading frame in both LOS biosynthesis and virulence expression by Hib.

Organization of the bacterial chromosome

Recent progress in studies on the bacterial chromosome is summarized. Although the greatest amount of information comes from studies on Escherichia coli, reports on studies of many other bacteria are also included. A compilation of the sizes of chromosomal DNAs as determined by pulsed-field electrophoresis is given, as well as a discussion of factors that affect gene dosage, including redundancy of chromosomes on the one hand and inactivation of chromosomes on the other hand. The distinction between a large plasmid and a second chromosome is discussed. Recent information on repeated sequences and chromosomal rearrangements is presented. The growing understanding of limitations on the rearrangements that can be tolerated by bacteria and those that cannot is summarized, and the sensitive region flanking the terminator loci is described. Sources and types of genetic variation in bacteria are listed, from simple single nucleotide mutations to intragenic and intergenic recombinations. A model depicting the dynamics of the evolution and genetic activity of the bacterial chromosome is described which entails acquisition by recombination of clonal segments within the chromosome. The model is consistent with the existence of only a few genetic types of E. coli worldwide. Finally, there is a summary of recent reports on lateral genetic exchange across great taxonomic distances, yet another source of genetic variation and innovation.

Pathogenic neisseriae--a model of bacterial virulence and genetic flexibility

The outcome of the early stages of a neisserial infection is determined by receptor-mediated events that culminate in the attachment and invasion of human mucosal tissues. The factors participating in this process, including pili, opacity proteins (Opa), and perhaps lipopolysaccharide (LPS), are subject to complex genetic controls that allow these factors to be produced in multiple forms. Antigenic variation allows the pathogenic Neisseriae to evade the human immune response, and facilitates their interaction with a variety of different cells and tissues of the human host. One of the major genetic mechanisms causing antigenic variation is transformation, which allows virulence genes to be exchanged and recombined between independent Neisseria strains within multiply infected individuals. A number of other factors, such as IgA protease, alpha-factor, and the meningococcal capsule are also implicated in pathogenesis and render the pathogenic Neisseriae an excellent model for the investigation of bacterial virulence.

Characterization of the repertoire of hypervariable regions in the Protein II (opa) gene family of Neisseria gonorrhoeae

P.II outer membrane proteins of Neisseria gonorrhoeae are encoded by a family of closely related genes. Although the genes are highly conserved, major differences in sequence among them occur in two short regions, designated hypervariable regions 1 (HV1) and 2 (HV2). In this study, we determined the number and DNA sequence of the hypervariable regions in the P.II genes of strains FA1090. The FA1090 chromosome contained at least eleven P.II loci, having six different versions each of HV1 and HV2 among them. Southern blotting with HV-specific oligonucleotides showed that each version was present in one to three copies, and that there were nine unique combinations of HV1 and HV2 in the P.II genes. Although each of the versions of HV1 or HV2 had a unique DNA sequence, there were some similarities among them, particularly when certain ones were compared. Restriction fragments containing only the HV regions were cloned into an expression vector to demonstrate that the epitopes recognized by a set of monoclonal antibodies specific for different FA1090 P.II proteins were completely encoded by either HV1 or HV2.