Role of Neisseria meningitidis luxS in cell-to-cell signaling and bacteremic infection

Infect Immun. 2002 Apr;70(4):2245-8. doi: 10.1128/IAI.70.4.2245-2248.2002.

Abstract

Numerous pathogenic bacteria contain luxS, which is required for autoinducer-2 production. Here, we demonstrate that Neisseria meningitidis contains a functional copy of luxS that is necessary for full meningococcal virulence; strains with a luxS deletion are defective for bacteremia, a prerequisite of meningococcal pathogenesis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bacteremia / etiology*
  • Bacterial Proteins / genetics
  • Bacterial Proteins / physiology*
  • Carbon-Sulfur Lyases
  • Homoserine / analogs & derivatives*
  • Homoserine / analysis
  • Lactones / analysis
  • Neisseria meningitidis / genetics
  • Neisseria meningitidis / pathogenicity*
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Virulence

Substances

  • Bacterial Proteins
  • Lactones
  • N-octanoylhomoserine lactone
  • Homoserine
  • Carbon-Sulfur Lyases
  • LuxS protein, Bacteria