Flavin affinity for the reductase HpaC differentially sensitizes Neisseria gonorrhoeae during Type IV pilus-dependent killing.

ABSTRACT: The Neisseria gonorrhoeae Type IV pilus is a dynamic fiber involved in host cell attachment, DNA transformation, twitching motility, and evading the innate immune system. We previously reported that pilus expression affects iron homeostasis and sensitivity to killing by oxidative (iron-dependent antibiotic streptonigrin and hydrogen peroxide and non-oxidative (antimicrobial peptide LL-37) agents. Here, we use in vitro evolution to identify genes involved in N. gonorrhoeae susceptibility to streptonigrin. We identified a mutation in the NGO0059 locus that encodes HpaC that results in a glycine to cysteine change in position 93. Although HpaC homologs are known as part of a two-component FAD-dependent monooxygenase system consisting of an hpaC reductase and an hpaB monooxygenase, Neisseria l

SUBMITTER: Hu LI 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12558477 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature