Phasevarions mediate epigenetic regulation of antimicrobial susceptibility in Neisseria meningitidis.
Phase variation is a common feature of host-adapted bacterial pathogens such as Neisseria meningitidis. Recently, we reported that this rapid on/off switching of gene expression occurs in DNA methyltransferases, altering expression in multiple genes via changes in global methylation. In the current study, we compared MIC values of strains with ModA11, ModA12, and ModD1 phasevarions, revealing MIC differences due to ModA11 and ModA12 switching, with a ModA11_OFF strain showing 4-fold reduced susceptibilities to ceftazidime and ciprofloxacin.
Institute for Glycomics, Griffith University, Southport, Queensland, Australia.
Freda E-C
FE
Jen
Institute for Glycomics, Griffith University, Southport, Queensland, Australia.
Kate L
KL
Seib
Institute for Glycomics, Griffith University, Southport, Queensland, Australia m.jennings@griffith.edu.au.
Michael P
MP
Jennings
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002442:Ceftazidime / Q000494:pharmacology; D002939:Ciprofloxacin / Q000494:pharmacology; D004248:DNA (Cytosine-5-)-Methyltransferases / Q000235:genetics*; D019175:DNA Methylation / Q000235:genetics; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics; D024901:Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics*; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic; D015964:Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D009345:Neisseria meningitidis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D002939:Ciprofloxacin; D002442:Ceftazidime; D004248:DNA (Cytosine-5-)-Methyltransferases