Isolation of Neisseria meningitidis mutants deficient in class 1 (porA) and class 3 (porB) outer membrane proteins.
The class 1 major outer membrane protein of Neisseria meningitidis is a serious candidate for a meningococcal vaccine. To facilitate studies on the function of this protein, mutants were isolated that lacked this protein or the structurally related class 3 protein. These mutants were obtained by using the antibody-dependent bactericidal action of the complement system. The class 1 protein-deficient strain grew normally in vitro, whereas growth of the class 3 protein-deficient strain was slightly retarded. The class 3 protein-deficient strain displayed increased resistance to the antibiotics tetracycline and cefsulodin, which is consistent with the proposed role of the protein as a pore-forming protein. The class 1 protein was purified to homogeneity from the class 3 protein-deficient strain. Lipid bilayer experiments revealed that this protein also formed pores. The class 1 protein pores were cation selective.
Tommassen
J
J
Department of Molecular Cell Biology, State University of Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Vermeij
P
P
Struyvé
M
M
Benz
R
R
Poolman
J T
JT
D001425:Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D002441:Cefsulodin / Q000494:pharmacology; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D008970:Molecular Weight; D009154:Mutation; D009345:Neisseria meningitidis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics* / Q000254:growth & development; D018272:Porins; D013752:Tetracycline / Q000494:pharmacology
D001425:Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins; D018272:Porins; D013752:Tetracycline; D002441:Cefsulodin