Open AccessNeisserial pilin genes display extensive interspecies diversity
Author(s) -
Aho Ellen L.,
Urwin Rachel,
Batcheller April E.,
Holmgren Alicia M.,
Havig Kelly,
Kulakoski Amy M.,
Vomhof Emilie E.,
Longfors Nancy S.,
Erickson Christopher B.,
Anderson Zacchary K.,
Dawlaty Jahan M.,
Mueller Joshua J.
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
fems microbiology letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.899
H-Index - 151
eISSN - 1574-6968
pISSN - 0378-1097
DOI - 10.1016/j.femsle.2005.06.035
Subject(s) - neisseria , pilin , biology , pilus , gene , genetics , horizontal gene transfer , microbiology and biotechnology , bacteria , phylogenetics , escherichia coli
All Neisseria live in association with host cells, however, little is known about the genetic potential of nonpathogenic Neisseria species to express attachment factors such as pili. In this study, we demonstrate that type IV pilin‐encoding genes are present in a wide range of Neisseria species. N. sicca , N. subflava , and N. elongata each contain two putative pilE genes arranged in tandem, while single genes were identified in N. polysaccharea , N. mucosa , and N. denitrificans . Neisserial pilE genes are highly diverse and display features consistent with a history of horizontal gene transfer.