Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays for the detection of Neisseria gonorrhoeae specific antibodies.

An indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using rigid polystyrene microtiter plates was adapted to detect specific gonococcal antibodies against outer membrane-complex antigens extracted from Neisseria gonorrhoeae. The concentration of antigen to obtain maximum coating of the well was 10 micrograms protein per millilitre. The optimal binding of the primary antibody and enzyme-conjugated antimmunoglobulin was achieved after 1 h at 37 degrees C. Under these conditions using gonococcal antisera, no cross-reactivity was observed with outer membrane antigens extracted from Neisseria meningitidis serogroups B, C, X, Y, and W135. Neisseria meningitidis serogroup A demonstrated low levels of cross-reactivity. All the non-pathogenic Neisseria spp. tested were negative (absorbance value at 400 nm/30 min less than 0.15). The reaction of immune serum against outer membrane complex absorbed to the microwells was completely inhibited with soluble-specific antigen but not with purified N. gonorrhoeae lipopolysaccharide. Quantitative inhibition permitted the measurement of low levels of antigen (0.5 microgram/ml). The detection of N. gonorrhoeae antibody with ELISA is specific and highly sensitive.     

淋病流行株外排系统与外膜通透性和多重耐药性的关系

探讨外排系统、外膜通透性与淋病流行株多重耐药性的关系。应用K—B法和琼脂稀释法从湛江地区分离出62株淋球菌多重耐药株。利用SDS—PAGE测定淋球菌外膜孔蛋白的表达;应用直接荧光法测定能量抑制剂加入前后淋球菌对抗生素的摄入和积累情况,比较耐药菌与敏感菌内膜泵蛋白表达的差异;利用煮沸法提取细菌DNA,PCR扩增mtrR基因,并对扩增产物测序,比较敏感株与多重耐药株的差异。结果5株多重耐药菌均有外膜孔蛋白表达的缺失或下降,同时伴有外排泵蛋白的表达;5株敏感淋球菌无mtrR的突变,10株多重耐药株均有mtrR基因的突变。表明外排系统、外膜通透性与淋病流行株的多重耐药性密切相关。     

Pore formation and mitogenicity in blood cells by the class 2 protein of Neisseria meningitidis.

The class 2 outer membrane protein (MIEP) of Neisseria meningitidis has recently been shown to be mitogenic for lymphocytes (Liu, M.A., Friedman, A., Tai, J., Martinez, D., Deck, R. R., Hawe, L. A., Shieh, J. T.-C., Jenkins, T. D., Donnelly, J. J., and Oliff, A. I. (1992) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 89, 4633-4637. In this study, a possible connection between MIEP's mitogenicity and its possible action as a porin was investigated. MIEP, purified from the bacterial outer membrane protein complex under denaturing conditions, caused a modest but specific release of ions (86Rb) from both erythrocytes and lymphocytes, ultimately resulting in cell lysis. The dose-response of MIEP on erythrocyte lysis was qualitatively similar to a known porin (protein I from Neisseria gonorrhoeae) but was much less efficient. Induction or preservation of native structure in MIEP increased pore formation, resulting in levels comparable to that of the protein I porin. These observations suggest that native MIEP, free of the other outer membrane proteins of Neisseria meningitidis, can efficiently form pores in cells, but that denatured MIEP is variably and marginally effective. However, pore formation by MIEP was not related to its mitogenicity in lymphocytes, based on: (i) native MIEP was not mitogenic; (ii) denatured MIEP was highly mitogenic; and (iii) denatured MIEP was mitogenic at concentrations below the threshold level for pore formation. Therefore, mitogenicity is dependent upon MIEP being in a denatured, monomeric state and is masked by native conformation.     

Pathogenic neisseriae can use hemoglobin, transferrin, and lactoferrin independently of the tonB locus

Redundant TonB systems which function in iron transport from TonB-dependent ligands have recently been identified in several gram-negative bacteria. We demonstrate here that in addition to the previously described tonB locus, an alternative system exists for the utilization of iron from hemoglobin, transferrin, or lactoferrin in Neisseria meningitidis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Following incubation on media containing hemoglobin, N. meningitidis IR3436 (tonB exbB exbD deletion mutant) and N. gonorrhoeae PD3401 (tonB insertional mutant) give rise to colonies which can grow with hemoglobin. Transfer of Hb(+) variants (PD3437 or PD3402) to media containing hemoglobin, transferrin, and/or lactoferrin as sole iron sources resulted in growth comparable to that observed for the wild-type strains. Transformation of N. meningitidis IR3436 or N. gonorrhoeae PD3401 with chromosomal DNA from the Hb(+) variants yielded transformants capable of growth with hemoglobin. When we inactivated the TonB-dependent outer membrane hemoglobin receptors (HmbR or HpuB) in the Neisseria Hb(+) variants, these strains could not grow with hemoglobin; however, growth was observed with transferrin and/or lactoferrin. These results demonstrate that accumulation of iron from hemoglobin, transferrin, and lactoferrin in the pathogenic neisseriae can occur via a system that is independent of the previously described tonB locus.     

VDAC and the bacterial porin PorB of Neisseria gonorrhoeae share mitochondrial import pathways

The human pathogen Neisseria gonorrhoeae induces host cell apoptosis during infection by delivering the outer membrane protein PorB to the host cell's mitochondria. PorB is a pore-forming beta-barrel protein sharing several features with the mitochondrial voltage-dependent anion channel (VDAC), which is involved in the regulation of apoptosis. Here we show that PorB of pathogenic Neisseria species produced by host cells is efficiently targeted to mitochondria. Imported PorB resides in the mitochondrial outer membrane and forms multimers with similar sizes as in the outer bacterial membrane. The mitochondria completely lose their membrane potential, a characteristic previously observed in cells infected with gonococci or treated with purified PorB. Closely related bacterial porins of non-pathogenic Neisseria mucosa or Escherichia coli remain in the cytosol. Import of PorB into mitochondria in vivo is independent of a linear signal sequence. Insertion of PorB into the mitochondrial outer membrane in vitro depends on the activity of Tom5, Tom20 and Tom40, but is independent of Tom70. Our data show that human VDAC and bacterial PorB are imported into mitochondria by a similar mechanism.     

Cross-linking analysis of Neisseria gonorrhoeae outer membrane proteins.

The arrangement of proteins in the outer membrane of Neisseria gonorrhoeae was investigated through the use of cleavable chemical cross-linking reagents and two-dimensional sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Cross-linking of isolated outer membranes yielded dimers and trimers of the major outer membrane protein. In addition, data were obtained suggesting that a stable interaction exists between the major protein I and protein II, the second most prevalent protein in the gonococcal outer membrane.     

The role of porins in neisserial pathogenesis and immunity

Neisseria meningitidis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae are Gram-negative pathogenic bacteria responsible for bacterial meningitis and septicemia, and the sexually transmitted disease gonorrhea, respectively. Porins are the most represented outer membrane proteins in the pathogenic Neisseria species, functioning as pores for the exchange of ions, and are characterized by a trimeric beta-barrel structure. Neisserial porins have been shown to act as adjuvants in the immune response via activation of B cells and other antigen-presenting cells (APCs). Their effect on the immune response is mediated by upregulation of the costimulatory molecule B7-2 (CD86) on the surface of APCs, an effect that is Toll-like receptor 2- and MyD88-dependent. The effect of neisserial porins on the immune system also involves interaction with components of the complement cascade. Furthermore, neisserial porins co-localize with mitochondria of target cells, where they appear to modulate apoptosis.     

Phase variation of gonococcal pili by frameshift mutation in pilC, a novel gene for pilus assembly.

Pili prepared from Neisseria gonorrhoeae contain minor amounts of a 110 kd outer membrane protein denoted PilC. The corresponding gene exists in two copies, pilC1 and pilC2, in most strains of N.gonorrhoeae. In the piliated strain MS11(P+), only one of the genes, pilC2, was expressed. Inactivation of pilC2 by a mTnCm insertion resulted in a nonpiliated phenotype, while a mTnCm insertion in pilC1 had no effect on piliation. Expression of pilC was found to be controlled at the translational level by frameshift mutations in a run of G residues positioned in the region encoding the signal peptide. Nonpilated (P-), pilin expressing colony variants that did not express detectable levels of PilC were selected; all P+ backswitchers from these P-, PilC- clones were found to be PilC+. The structural gene for pilin, pilE, was sequenced and found to be identical in one P-, PilC- and P+, PilC+ pair. Most PilC- cells were completely bald whereas the PilC+ backswitcher had 10-40 pili per cell. Thus, a turn ON and turn OFF in the expression of PilC results in gonococcal pili phase variation. These results suggest that PilC is required for pilus assembly and/or translocation across the gonococcal outer membrane.     

Characterization of a stress protein from group B Neisseria meningitidis.

Increased levels of a 65-kDa stress protein (Msp65) were observed in group B Neisseria meningitidis grown under stationary-growth conditions. Electron microscopy showed two apposing rings of seven subunits, a structure typical of Escherichia coli GroEL. Msp65 was not found in either the periplasmic space or the outer membrane. Several important differences between the GroEL analogs of N. meningitidis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae are discussed.     

The Neisseria type 2 IgA1 protease cleaves LAMP1 and promotes survival of bacteria within epithelial cells

Infection of human epithelial cells by Neisseria meningitidis (MC) and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (GC) increases the rate of degradation of LAMP1, a major integral membrane glycoprotein of late endosomes and lysosomes. Several lines of evidence indicate that the neisserial IgA1 protease is directly responsible for this LAMP1 degradation. LAMP1 contains an IgA1-like hinge region with potential cleavage sites for the neisserial type 1 and type 2 IgA1 proteases. Neisserial type 2 IgA1 protease cleaves purified LAMP1 in vitro . Unlike its wild-type isogenic parent, an iga ⁻ mutant of N. gonorrhoeae cannot affect LAMP1 turnover and its growth in epithelial cells is dramatically reduced. Thus, IgA1 protease cleavage of LAMP1 promotes intracellular survival of pathogenic Neisseria spp.     

'Small' talk: Opa proteins as mediators of Neisseria-host-cell communication

Opa proteins are variable outer membrane proteins of Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Neisseria meningitidis that mediate tight interaction of these pathogens with human cells. They have emerged as a paradigm of a bacterial toolbox allowing recognition of different host receptors and orchestrating the cell type tropism displayed by pathogenic Neisseriae. Recent work has highlighted the molecular basis of Opa-protein-host-receptor interaction and has shed new light on the functional consequences of this interaction with regard to bacterial attachment, invasion, and responses elicited in particular host cells.     

Acid sphingomyelinase is involved in CEACAM receptor-mediated phagocytosis of Neisseria gonorrhoeae

The interaction with human phagocytes is a hallmark of symptomatic Neisseria gonorrhoeae infections. Gonococcal outer membrane proteins of the Opa family induce the opsonin-independent uptake of the bacteria that relies on CEACAM receptors and an active signaling machinery of the phagocyte. Here, we show that CEACAM receptor-mediated phagocytosis of Opa(52)-expressing N. gonorrhoeae into human cells results in a rapid activation of the acid sphingomyelinase. Inhibition of this enzyme by imipramine or SR33557 abolishes opsonin-independent internalization without affecting bacterial adherence. Reconstitution of ceramide, the product of acid sphingomyelinase activity, in imipramine- or SR33557-treated cells restores internalization of the bacteria. Furthermore, we demonstrate that CEACAM receptor-initiated stimulation of other signalling molecules, in particular Src-like tyrosine kinases and Jun N-terminal kinases, requires acid sphingomyelinase. These studies provide evidence for a crucial role of the acid sphingomyelinase for CEACAM receptor-initiated signalling events and internalization of Opa(52)-expressing N. gonorrhoeae into human neutrophils.     

A dominant sulfhydryl-containing protein in the outer membrane of Neisseria gonorrhoeae.

By using a method that labels sulfhydryl-containing proteins in situ, we have detected a major outer membrane protein of Neisseria gonorrhoeae at 41 kDa. A protein of this molecular mass has not previously been shown to be a major outer membrane protein in gonococci. In addition, a minor protein rich in cysteinyl residues was detected at 31.5 kDa.     

Mutagenesis of the Neisseria gonorrhoeae porin reduces invasion in epithelial cells and enhances phagocyte responsiveness

Porin (PorB), the major outer membrane protein of Neisseria gonorrhoeae, has been implicated in pathogenesis previously. However, the fact that porin deletion mutants are not viable has complicated investigations. Here, we describe a method of manipulating the porin gene site-specifically. N. gonorrhoeae MS11, which harbours the porB1B (P.1B) porin allele, was used to generate mutants carrying deletions in the surface loops 1 and 5. An 11-amino-acid deletion in loop 1 impaired Opa50-dependent invasion into human Chang epithelial cells, whereas loop 5 deletion exhibited no apparent phenotype. In a second approach, the complete gonococcal porB1B was replaced by the porBNia gene of Neisseria lactamica. Such mutants were unable to induce efficient uptake by epithelial cells but induced an enhanced respiratory response in HL60 phagocytic cells. The increased respiratory burst was accompanied by an enhanced phagocytic uptake of the mutant compared with the wild-type strain. Our data extend previous evidence for multiple central functions of PorB in the infection process.     

Cloning, sequencing, and characterization of the gene encoding FrpB, a major iron-regulated, outer membrane protein of Neisseria gonorrhoeae.

FrpB (for Fe-regulated protein B) is a 76-kDa outer membrane protein that is part of the iron regulon of Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Neisseria meningitidis. The frpB gene from gonococcal strain FA19 was cloned and sequenced. FrpB was homologous to several TonB-dependent outer membrane receptors of Escherichia coli as well as HemR of Yersinia enterocolitica and CopB of Moraxella catarrhalis. An omga insertion into the frpB coding sequence caused a 60% reduction in 55Fe uptake from heme, but careful analysis suggested that this effect was nonspecific. While FrpB was related to the family of TonB-dependent proteins, a function in iron uptake could not be documented.     

The surface of Neisseria gonorrhoeae: isolation of the major components of the outer membrane.

Outer membranes were isolated from several strains of Neisseria gonorrhoeae by extraction of whole cells with aqueous lithium acetate. The preparations contained a limited number of components including lipopolysaccharide and two major proteins. One protein was present in all strains examined; the second, which showed anomalous behaviour on sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, was absent from some. Fluorescent labelling of intact N. gonorrhoeae showed that the two proteins and pili were the major surface proteins. Each of the three major outer membrane components was isolated in a homogeneous form by selective extraction followed by gel filtration.     

淋球菌主要外膜蛋白的部分纯化与鉴定

应用国产十六烷基三甲基溴化铵提取淋球菌外膜蛋白Ｉ（ＰＩ）,继用Ｓｅｐｈａｒｏｓｅ ６Ｂ纯化,并通过ＳＤＳ－ＰＡＧＥ鉴定所提ＰＩ的纯度,以及用琼脂双扩散法测定其抗原性。该法提取淋球菌ＰＩ的纯度高,收获量大,对抗原结构无破坏,适宜在淋球菌的生物学研究中应用。     

Detection of microbial surface antigens that bind Lewisa antigen

Abstract There is evidence that the Lewis^a blood group antigen is one of the receptors for a number of potentially pathogenic microorganisms. To determine how widely distributed the microbial adhesins are that bind this antigen, anti-idiotypic antibodies produced against monoclonal anti-Lewis^a were used in coagglutination assays to screen a variety of species. The following were agglutinated: 7/7 strains of Staphylococcus aureus ; 10/19 (53%) strains of Neisseria meningitidis ; 8/13 (62%) strains of Haemophilus influenzae ; 1/3 strains of Helicobacter pylori ; 1/2 strains of Neisseria gonorrhoeae ; 1/2 strains of Candida albicans . The application of the anti-idiotypic antibodies to studies of host cell receptors, isolation of adhesins and development of new epidemiological typing reagents is discussed.     

Isolation and characterization of the outer membrane of Neisseria gonorrhoeae

The cell envelope of Neisseria gonorrhoeae strain 2686, colonial type 4, was isolated from spheroplasts formed by the action of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid and lysozyme. Isopycnic centrifugation of osmotically ruptured spheroplasts resolved the cell envelope into two main membrane fractions. Chemical and enzymatic analyses were used to characterize these isolated membranes. Succinic dehydrogenase, reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide oxidase, and d-lactate dehydrogenase were localized in the membrane fraction of buoyant density, rho degrees = 1.141 g/cm(3). Lipopolysaccharide and over half of the cell envelope protein were associated with the membrane that banded in sucrose at rho degrees = 1.219 g/cm(3). These fractions were consequently designated cytoplasmic and outer or L-membrane, respectively. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide electrophoresis of isolated membranes demonstrated the relative simplicity of the protein spectrum of the outer membrane. The majority of the protein in this membrane could be accounted for by proteins of molecular weights 34,500, 22,000, and 11,500. The protein of molecular weight 34,500 accounted for 66% of the total protein of the L-membrane. Isoelectric precipitation at pH 4.6 with 10% acetic acid selectively removed this protein from a 150 mM NaCl in 10 mM tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane-hydrochloride, pH 7.4, extract of purified outer membrane. At pH 4.0, the other proteins of the L-membrane were precipitated. It was concluded that the membrane components of the cell envelope of N. gonorrhoeae were similar to those of other gram-negative bacteria. The cell envelope fractions described here, in particular the outer membrane, are sufficiently well defined to provide a valuable tool for future biochemical and immunological studies on N. gonorrhoeae.