title: Mobile DNA in the pathogenicNeisseria.
abstract: The genusNeisseriacontains two pathogenic species of notable public health concern:Neisseria gonorrhoeaeandNeisseria meningitidis. These pathogens display a notable ability to undergo frequent programmed recombination events. The recombination mediated pathways of transformation and pilin antigenic variation in theNeisseriaare well studied systems that are critical for pathogenesis. Here we will detail the conserved and unique aspects of transformation and antigenic variation in theNeisseria.Transformation will be followed from initial DNA binding through recombination into the genome with consideration to the factors necessary at each step. Additional focus is paid to the unique type IV secretion system that mediates donation of transforming DNA in the pathogenicNeisseria. The pilin antigenic variation system uses programed recombinations to alter a major surface determinant which allows immune avoidance and promotes infection. We discuss thetrans- andcis- acting factors which facilitate pilin antigenic variation and present the current understanding of the mechanisms involved in the process.
authors: Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, 303 East Chicago Ave., Chicago, IL, 60611 USA.
authors: Kyle P
authors: KP
authors: Obergfell
authors: Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, 303 East Chicago Ave., Chicago, IL, 60611 USA.
authors: H Steven
authors: HS
authors: Seifert