Mutation of the gltT gene decreases the efficiency of growth of Neisseria gonorrhoeae Pubblico

Abstract

The gltT gene encodes for an L-glutamate ABC transporter. In this work, I studied the effects of a gltT-negativemutation in streptomycin resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae FA19 (FA19St^R). A gltT-negative mutant, FA19St^RgltT::kan, was shown to be deficient for growth in GC broth in comparison with its parental strain FA19. In the related pathogen N. meningitidis, acquisition of L-glutamate through GltT promotes evasion of polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN)-generated reactive oxygen species. Accordingly, oxidative stress due to hydrogen peroxide of FA19St^RgltT::kan was tested, although the mutant FA19St^RgltT::kan always appeared more sensitive to H2O2 than its isogenic parental strain FA19St^R, the difference in sensitivity was not statistically significant. This work reveals genetic pathways that could potentially weaken gonococcal survival in PMN. Lastly, attempts to complement the gltT-negative mutant using the pGCC4 vector were unsuccessful. Sequence of the construct used for complementation (pGCC4gltT) revealed the presence of a new mutation in the coding region of the gltT gene that could result in the production of a non-functional protein.

Table of Contents

Introduction 1

Objectives 7

Methods 8

Results 11

Discussion 14

Future Research 17

Tables and Figures 18

References 25

About this Honors Thesis

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School	Emory College
Department	Biology
Degree	BS
Submission	Honors Thesis
Language	English
Research Field	Biology, Microbiology
Parola chiave	glutamate transporter gonorrhea gltT cloning
Committee Chair / Thesis Advisor	Shafer, William M, Emory University
Committee Members	Campbell, Kathleen, Emory University Cafferty, Patrick William, Emory University

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