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The role of direct oligonucleotide repeats in gonococcal pilin gene variation
Author(s) -
Hill S. A.,
Morrison S. G.,
Swanson J.
Publication year - 1990
Publication title -
molecular microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.857
H-Index - 247
eISSN - 1365-2958
pISSN - 0950-382X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2958.1990.tb00713.x
Subject(s) - pilin , pilus , biology , gene , genetics , antigenic variation , phase variation , oligonucleotide , direct repeat , gene conversion , recombination , phenotype , base sequence , virulence
Summary Previous studies indicate that gonococcal pilin phase and antigenic variation occur by intragenomic pilin gene recombination, the outcome of which resembles that of gene conversion. During such transitions, the expressed complete pilin gene (pilE) acquires a novel sequence corresponding to that of a silent pilin gene (pilS). In the present study, we find that internal deletions of pilE can produce pilus − /pilus + phase transitions: direct oligonucleotide repeats in the pilin‐encoding portion of pilE bracket the deleted segments. A novel, orthodox pilE is formed upon repair of the internal deletions, with pilS sequence probably acting as a template for repair. Such deletion/repair of pilE is suggested as a principal mechanism underlying gonococcal pilus variation.