Role of HrpA in biofilm formation of Neisseria meningitidis and regulation of the hrpBAS transcripts.

ABSTRACT: Two-partner secretion systems of gram-negative organisms are utilized in adherence, invasion, and biofilm formation. The HrpAB proteins of Neisseria meningitidis are members of a two-partner secretion system, and HrpA is established as being important to adherence and intracellular escape. This study set out to determine the expression pattern of members of the hrpBAS putative operon and to find a functional role for the HrpA protein. The upregulation of these genes was found in situations of anaerobiosis and cell contact. These observations prompted the study of the function of HrpA in biofilms on human bronchial epithelial cells. HrpA mutants in encapsulated and unencapsulated NMB strains demonstrated biofilm growth equivalent to that of the wild-type strain at 6 h but a decreased abilit

SUBMITTER: Neil RB 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2687342 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature