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Spontaneous point mutations in the capsule synthesis locus leading to structural and functional changes of the capsule in serogroup A meningococcal populations

Ispasanie, Emma and Micoli, Francesca and Lamelas, Araceli and Keller, Dominique and Berti, Francesco and De Riccio, Riccardo and Di Benedettoi, Roberta and Rondini, Simona and Pluschke, Gerd. (2018) Spontaneous point mutations in the capsule synthesis locus leading to structural and functional changes of the capsule in serogroup A meningococcal populations. Virulence, 9 (1). pp. 1138-1149.

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Abstract

Whole genome sequencing analysis of 100 Neisseria meningitidis serogroup A isolates has revealed that the csaABCD-ctrABCD-ctrEF capsule polysaccharide synthesis locus represents a spontaneous point mutation hotspot. Structural and functional properties of the capsule of 11 carriage and two disease isolates with non-synonymous point mutations or stop codons in capsule synthesis genes were analyzed for their capsular polysaccharide expression, recognition by antibodies and sensitivity to bactericidal killing. Eight of eleven carriage isolates presenting capsule locus mutations expressed no or reduced amounts of capsule. One isolate with a stop codon in the O-acetyltransferase gene expressed non-O-acetylated polysaccharide, and was not recognized by anti-capsule antibodies. Capsule and O-acetylation deficient mutants were resistant to complement deposition and killing mediated by anti-capsular antibodies, but not by anti-lipopolysaccharide antibodies. Two capsule polymerase mutants, one carriage and one case isolate, showed capsule over-expression and increased resistance against bactericidal activity of both capsule- and lipopolysaccharide-specific antibodies. Meningococci have developed multiple strategies for changing capsule expression and structure, which is relevant both for colonization and virulence. Here we show that point mutations in the capsule synthesis genes substantially contribute to the repertoire of genetic mechanisms in natural populations leading to variability in capsule expression.
Faculties and Departments:09 Associated Institutions > Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Swiss TPH)
09 Associated Institutions > Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Swiss TPH) > Department of Medical Parasitology and Infection Biology (MPI) > Molecular Immunology (Pluschke)
UniBasel Contributors:Ispasanie, Emma and Keller, Dominique and Pluschke, Gerd
Item Type:Article, refereed
Article Subtype:Research Article
Publisher:Landes Bioscience
ISSN:2150-5594
e-ISSN:2150-5608
Note:Publication type according to Uni Basel Research Database: Journal article
Language:English
Identification Number:
edoc DOI:
Last Modified:05 Sep 2018 09:43
Deposited On:05 Sep 2018 09:43

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