期刊
ANNUAL REVIEW OF GENETICS, VOL 48
卷 48, 期 -, 页码 405-431出版社
ANNUAL REVIEWS
DOI: 10.1146/annurev-genet-120213-092007
关键词
antigenic variation; phase variation; DNA transformation; gonorrhea; meningitis; horizontal gene transfer
资金
- NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ALLERGY AND INFECTIOUS DISEASES [R37AI033493, R01AI044239, F32AI094945] Funding Source: NIH RePORTER
- NIAID NIH HHS [R01 AI044239, F32 AI0I94945, R37 AI033493] Funding Source: Medline
Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Neisseria meningitidis are closely related organisms that cause the sexually transmitted infection gonorrhea and serious bacterial meningitis and septicemia, respectively. Both species possess multiple mechanisms to alter the expression of surface-exposed proteins through the processes of phase and antigenic variation. This potential for wide variability in surface-exposed structures allows the organisms to always have subpopulations of divergent antigenic types to avoid immune surveillance and to contribute to functional variation. Additionally, the Neisseria are naturally competent for DNA transformation, which is their main means of genetic exchange. Although bacteriophages and plasmids are present in this genus, they are not as effective as DNA transformation for horizontal genetic exchange. There are barriers to genetic transfer, such as restriction-modification systems and CRISPR loci, that limit particular types of exchange. These host-restricted pathogens illustrate the rich complexity of genetics that can help define the similarities and differences of closely related organisms.
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