The meningococcus genome is characterized by high plasticity promoted by spontaneous mutational mechanisms: local or global changes due to repeated sequences, phase variation, horizontal gene transfer and others. The CREN (contact regulatory element of Neisseria) is a 50-150bps repeated sequence localized in the genome of pathogenic Neisseria species and often located directed upstream of the ATG start codon of genes. This DNA repeat sequence was identified as a cis-regulatory element that coordinates the upregulation of several genes in response to host cell contact, however the mechanism through which this occurs remains obscure. In serogroup B meningococcal strain MC58 12 highly conserved CREN regions were identified. In our work we focus on nmb2132, one of the 5 MenB vaccine antigens and CrgA (nmb1856), with CREN element in their 5’UTR. We demonstrate that there is a co-regulation mediated by Hfq and CREN at the post-transcriptional level for genes with CREN in their 5’UTR.
The involvement of mobile chromosomal elements in post-transcriptional regulatory control via the Hfq RNA chaperone
FANTAPPIE', LAURA;SCARLATO, VINCENZO;
2009
Abstract
The meningococcus genome is characterized by high plasticity promoted by spontaneous mutational mechanisms: local or global changes due to repeated sequences, phase variation, horizontal gene transfer and others. The CREN (contact regulatory element of Neisseria) is a 50-150bps repeated sequence localized in the genome of pathogenic Neisseria species and often located directed upstream of the ATG start codon of genes. This DNA repeat sequence was identified as a cis-regulatory element that coordinates the upregulation of several genes in response to host cell contact, however the mechanism through which this occurs remains obscure. In serogroup B meningococcal strain MC58 12 highly conserved CREN regions were identified. In our work we focus on nmb2132, one of the 5 MenB vaccine antigens and CrgA (nmb1856), with CREN element in their 5’UTR. We demonstrate that there is a co-regulation mediated by Hfq and CREN at the post-transcriptional level for genes with CREN in their 5’UTR.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
