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T F Meyer

Publications and source records attributed to T F Meyer.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed1997

The Neisseria gonorrhoeae gene aniA encodes an inducible nitrite reductase.

The aniA gene of Neisseria gonorrhoeae encodes an outer membrane lipoprotein which is strongly induced when gonococci are grown anaerobically in vitro in the presence of nitrite. Database searches with the amino acid sequence derived from the aniA structural gene revealed significant homologies to copper-containing nitrite reductases from several denitrifying bacteria. We constructed an insertional mutation in the aniA locus of strain MS11 by allelic replacement, to determine whether this locus was necessary for growth in oxygen-depleted environments, and to demonstrate that AniA was indeed a nitrite reductase. The mutant was severely impaired in its ability to grow micro-aerophilically in the presence of nitrite, and we observed a loss in viability over several hours of incubation. No measurable nitrite reductase activity was detected in the aniA mutant strain, and activity in the strain with a wild-type locus was inducible. Finally, we report investigations to determine whether AniA protein is involved in gonococcal pathogenesis.

Alleles↗
PubMed1997

PilC of Neisseria meningitidis is involved in class II pilus formation and restores pilus assembly, natural transformation competence and adherence to epithelial cells in PilC-deficient gonococci.

Type 4 pili produced by the pathogenic Neisseria species constitute primary determinants for the adherence to host tissues. In addition to the major pilin subunit (PilE), neisserial pili contain the variable PilC proteins represented by two variant gene copies in most pathogenic Neisseria isolates. Based upon structural differences in the conserved regions of PilE, two pilus classes can be distinguished in Neisseria meningitidis. For class I pili found in both Neisseria gonorrhoeae and N. meningitidis, PilC proteins have been implicated in pilus assembly, natural transformation competence and adherence to epithelial cells. In this study, we used primers specific for the pilC2 gene of N.gonorrhoeae strain MS11 to amplify, by the polymerase chain reaction, and clone a homologous pilC gene from N. meningitidis strain A1493 which produces class II pili. This gene was sequenced and the deduced amino acid sequence showed 75.4% and 73.8% identity with the gonococcal PilC1 and PilC2, respectively. These values match the identity value of 74.1% calculated for the two N. gonorrhoeae MS11 PilC proteins, indicating a horizontal relationship between the N. gonorrhoeae and N. meningitidis pilC genes. We provide evidence that PilC functions in meningococcal class II pilus assembly and adherence. Furthermore, expression of the cloned N. meningitidis pilC gene in a gonococcal pilC1,2 mutant restores pilus assembly, adherence to ME-180 epithelial cells, and transformation competence to the wild-type level. Thus, PilC proteins exhibit indistinguishable functions in the context of class I and class II pili.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1997

Differential Opa specificities for CD66 receptors influence tissue interactions and cellular response to Neisseria gonorrhoeae.

The ability of all 11 variable opacity (Opa) proteins encoded by Neisseria gonorrhoeae MS11 to interact directly with the five CD66 antigens was determined. Transfected HeLa cell lines expressing individual CD66 antigens were infected with recombinant N. gonorrhoeae and Escherichia coli strains expressing defined Opas. Based upon the ability of these bacteria to bind and invade and to isolate specifically CD66 antigens from detergent-soluble extracts of the corresponding cell lines, distinct specificity groups of Opa interaction with CD66 were seen. Defining these specificity groups allowed us to assign a specific function for CD66a in the Opa-mediated interaction of gonococci with two different target cell types, which are both known to co-express multiple CD66 antigens. The competence of individual Opas to interact with CD66a was strictly correlated with their ability to induce an oxidative response by polymorphonuclear neutrophils. The same Opa specificity was observed for the level of gonococcal binding to primary endothelial cells after stimulation with TNFalpha, which was shown to increase the expression of CD66a rather than CD66e. As CD66e alone is expressed on other target tissues of gonococcal pathogenicity, Opa variation probably contributes to the cell tropism displayed by gonococci.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Differential response of human monocytes to Neisseria gonorrhoeae variants expressing pili and opacity proteins.

Experiments in vitro suggest that Neisseria gonorrhoeae surface variation plays a key role in gonococcal pathogenesis by providing the appropriate bacterial phenotypes to go through different stages of the infection. Here we report on the effects of phase and antigen variation of two major gonococcal adhesins, pili and opacity (Opa) outer membrane proteins, on the interaction of the gonococci with human monocytes. Using a set of recombinants of gonococcus strain MS11 that each express 1 of 11 genetically defined Opa proteins or a defined type of pilus, we found that both Opa proteins and pili promote bacterial phagocytosis by monocytes in the absence of serum and that this feature largely depends on the type of protein that is expressed. One of the Opa proteins (Opa[50]) strongly promoted uptake by monocytes but had little effect on the interaction with polymorphonuclear leukocytes under the conditions employed. Similarly, the phagocytosis-promoting effect of the pili was much more pronounced in monocytes than in neutrophils (4-fold versus 22-fold stimulation of uptake, respectively). Only a subpopulation of both types of phagocytes actively ingested bacteria, as has been observed during natural infections. Measurements of luminol-enhanced chemiluminescence demonstrated that phagocytosis of opaque but not piliated gonococci was accompanied by an increase in oxygen-reactive metabolites. These findings demonstrate that the monocyte response towards gonococci is highly dependent on the bacterial phenotype and differs from the neutrophil response. This diversity in bacterial behavior towards various types of human phagocytic cells underlines the biological impact of gonococcal surface variation and may explain previous contradictory results on this subject.

Antigenic Variation↗
PubMed1997

An in vitro-differentiated human cell line as a model system to study the interaction of Neisseria gonorrhoeae with phagocytic cells.

The extreme host specificity of pathogenic neisseriae limits investigations aimed at the analysis of bacterial-host interactions almost completely to the use of in vitro models. Although permanent epithelial and endothelial cell lines are already indispensable tools with respect to initial infection processes, studies concerning the interaction of neisseriae with phagocytic cells have been confined to primary human blood cells. We investigated the use of human leukemia-derived monocytic and myelomonocytic cell lines that can be differentiated in vitro towards phagocytic cells by a panel of chemical and biological reagents including cytokines, vitamin analogs, and antileukemia drugs. Whereas tumor necrosis factor alpha, gamma interferon, bufalin, or granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor only marginally increased the ability of monocytic MonoMac-6 and myelomonocytic JOSK-M cells to interact with the bacteria, retinoic acid and vitamin D3 treatment for 2 to 4 days led to highly phagocytic cells that internalized gonococci in an Opa protein-specific manner. This is comparable to the phagocytosis by primary monocytes from human blood, where more than 80% of cells are infected with intracellular bacteria. The increased phagocytic activity of JOSK-M cells following in vitro differentiation was paralleled by enhanced oxidative burst capacity. Whereas undifferentiated cells responded to neither phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate nor other known soluble and particulate stimuli, cells incubated with retinoic acid and bufalin showed the same pattern and the same intensity of oxidative burst activity in response to Neisseria gonorrhoeae as primary cells: Opa-expressing gonococci elicited an oxidative burst, whereas Opa- gonococci did not. The surface expression of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II molecules was only slightly changed after retinoic acid treatment. Also, phagocytosis of gonococci had no influence on MHC class II surface expression. Taken together, our results demonstrate that in vitro-differentiated human myelomonocytic JOSK-M cells provide a suitable model for the study of a variety of aspects of the gonococcal interaction with phagocytes.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Experimental infection of native human ureteral tissue with Neisseria gonorrhoeae: adhesion, invasion, intracellular fate, exocytosis, and passage through a stratified epithelium.

The exact mechanisms by which Neisseria gonorrhoeae invades the mucosal lining to cause local and disseminated infections are still not fully understood. The ability of gonococci to infect the human ureter and the mechanism of gonococcal infection in a stratified epithelium were investigated by using distal ureters excised from healthy adult kidney donors. In morphological terms, this tissue closely resembles parts of the urethral proximal epithelium, a site of natural gonococcal infection. Using piliated and nonpiliated variants of N. gonorrhoeae MS11, we demonstrated the importance of pili in the attachment of gonococci to native epithelial cells as well as their association with epithelial damage. By electron microscopy we elucidated the different mechanisms of colonization and invasion of a stratified epithelium, including adherence to surface cells, invasion and eventual release from infected cells, disintegration of intercellular connections followed by paracellular tissue infiltration, invasion of deeper cells, and initiation of cellular destruction and exfoliation resulting in thinning of the mucosa.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Binding of vitronectin to opa-expressing Neisseria gonorrhoeae mediates invasion of HeLa cells.

Neisseria gonorrhoeae induces local infections in the human genitourinary tract and can disseminate to other organs to cause severe disease. Blood-derived factors present in the genital mucosa have been suggested to facilitate the spread of N. gonorrhoeae in disseminated gonococcal infections. Using gentamicin invasion assays and confocal microscopy, we observed a strong stimulatory effect of fetal calf serum (FCS) on the gonococcal invasion of HeLa cells. FCS-mediated invasion was dependent on the expression of the epithelial cell invasion-associated Opa protein (plasmid-encoded Opa50 or its chromosomal homolog Opa30), while N. gonorrhoeae expressing noninvasive Opa proteins (Opa(51-60)) or no Opa protein (Opa-) was not invasive even in the presence of FCS. Incubation of N. gonorrhoeae MS11 with biotinylated FCS revealed a 78-kDa protein as the prominent protein binding to Opa50- or Opa30-expressing gonococci. This protein was recognized by antibodies against vitronectin (VN) in Western blots. Purified human or bovine VN efficiently bound to Opa50-expressing gonococci, while binding to noninvasive Opa- or Opa52-expressing gonococci was significantly lower. Binding of VN was inhibited by heparin in a concentration-dependent manner, indicating that the heparin binding sites present in VN or Opa50 may play an essential role in this interaction. Based on gentamicin invasion assays and confocal microscopy studies, VN binding was associated with an increased invasion of Opa50- and Opa30-expressing gonococci into HeLa cells. The ability of VN to mediate entry into epithelial cells may constitute an important event in the pathogenesis of local as well as disseminated gonococcal infections.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Autodisplay: one-component system for efficient surface display and release of soluble recombinant proteins from Escherichia coli.

The immunoglobulin A protease family of secreted proteins are derived from self-translocating polyprotein precursors which contain C-terminal domains promoting the translocation of the N-terminally attached passenger domains across gram-negative bacterial outer membranes. Computer predictions identified the C-terminal domain of the Escherichia coli adhesin involved in diffuse adherence (AIDA-I) as a member of the autotransporter family. A model of the beta-barrel structure, proposed to be responsible for outer membrane translocation, served as a basis for the construction of fusion proteins containing heterologous passengers. Autotransporter-mediated surface display (autodisplay) was investigated for the cholera toxin B subunit and the peptide antigen tag PEYFK. Up to 5% of total cellular protein was detectable in the outer membrane as passenger autotransporter fusion protein synthesized under control of the constitutive P(TK) promoter. Efficient presentation of the passenger domains was demonstrated in the outer membrane protease T-deficient (ompT) strain E. coli UT5600 and the ompT dsbA double mutant JK321. Surface exposure was ascertained by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, immunofluorescence microscopy, and immunogold electron microscopy using antisera specific for the passenger domains. In strain UT2300 (ompT+), the passenger domains were released from the cell surface by the OmpT protease at a novel specific cleavage site, R / V. Autodisplay represents a useful tool for future protein translocation studies with interesting biotechnological possibilities.

Adhesins, Escherichia coli↗
PubMed1997

Inversion of Moraxella lacunata type 4 pilin gene sequences by a Neisseria gonorrhoeae site-specific recombinase.

A plasmid library of Neisseria gonorrhoeae sequences was screened for the ability to mediate recombinations on a sequence containing the Moraxella lacunata type 4 pilin gene invertible region in Escherichia coli. A plasmid containing the N. gonorrhoeae sequence encoding the putative recombinase (gcr) was identified and sequenced. Plasmids containing gcr were able to mediate site-specific recombinations despite a weak amino acid homology to Piv, the native M. lacunata pilin gene invertase. The gcr gene is present only in pathogenic strains of Neisseria tested; however, in our assays gene knockouts of gcr did not alter the variation of surface features that play a role in the pathogenesis of N. gonorrhoeae.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1997

Exercise avoidance and impaired endurance capacity in patients with panic disorder.

Exercise habits and indices of aerobic fitness as measured by spiroergometric testing were examined in 38 patients with panic disorder and/or agoraphobia and 24 untrained healthy controls. Maximal oxygen consumption, maximal power output and the power output at a lactate concentration of 4 mmol/l were significantly reduced in the patient group when compared to untrained controls. Other parameters like physical work capacity at a heart rate of 150/min, maximal lactate concentration, vital capacity, subjective exertion at maximal work load, and maximal heart rate did not differ between patients and controls. Patient interviews revealed that aerobic exercise is avoided by the vast majority of patients. Reduced aerobic fitness might contribute to the pathophysiology of panic disorder and/or agoraphobia.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

[Value of sports in treatment of psychiatric illness].

Several studies in healthy volunteers have shown a positive effect of endurance training on anxiety, depressive symptoms, self-esteem, concentration and stress tolerance. There are only a few controlled studies examining the therapeutic potential of exercise in psychiatric disorders. However, there is good evidence that exercise is effective in mild to moderate depression and in anxiety disorders. The therapeutic effect did not correlate with changes in cardiopulmonary fitness in the majority of studies. Therefore, other neurobiological and psychological mechanisms are discussed which might explain the effectiveness of regular physical training. The authors offer a variety of suggestions, how exercise could be integrated and evaluated in the treatment of psychiatric disorders.

Anxiety Disorders↗
PubMed1996

Genome plasticity in Neisseria gonorrhoeae.

The pathogenic Neisseria have exploited the processes of horizontal DNA transfer and genetic recombination as mechanisms for the generation of extensive protein variation and modulation of gene expression. Localized recombinations have been well documented in members of multigene families as have alterations in short repetitive sequences. Here we report an analysis of the chromosomal structure of a defined lineage of Neisseria gonorrhoeae strain MSl1 pilin variants. This study reveals the occurrence of large rearrangements, including the amplification of a 26 kb region and an inversion involving more than a third of the chromosome. Additionally, a restriction site polymorphism that correlates with pilin expression has been observed. These findings highlight the flexibility of the gonococcal genome.

Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins↗
PubMed1996

Absence of periplasmic DsbA oxidoreductase facilitates export of cysteine-containing passenger proteins to the Escherichia coli cell surface via the Iga beta autotransporter pathway.

The Iga beta autotransporter function of IgA1 protease from Neisseria gonorrhoeae was assessed in Escherichia coli using the Vibrio cholerae toxin B subunit (CtxB) as a heterologous passenger. N-terminal fusions with Iga beta of native CtxB or mutant CtxB protein containing no cysteines were constructed and analysed in isogenic E. coli mutants carrying defects in either or both the ompT (outer membrane protease T) and dsbA (periplasmic disulfide oxidoreductase) determinants. While export of the cystein-less CtxB passenger was independent of the dsbA genotype, the native CtxB passenger was properly translocated across the outer membrane only in the dsbA mutant background. This effect was consistent in the presence and in the absence of the OmpT protease which rather determined the release of surface-bound CtxB into the medium. Therefore, in agreement with previous observations Iga beta-dependent protein secretion requires an unfolded conformation of the passenger domain and can be blocked by disulfide loop formation in the presence of DsbA. Since DsbA acts in the periplasm, this provides evidence for a periplasmic intermediate in the Iga beta-mediated export pathway. E. coli (dsbA ompT) is highly suitable as a strain for the surface display of recombinant proteins via Iga beta, whether or not they contain cysteine residues.

Biological Transport↗
PubMed1996

Modulation of Neisseria porin (PorB) by cytosolic ATP/GTP of target cells: parallels between pathogen accommodation and mitochondrial endosymbiosis.

PorB of the pathogenic Neisseria species belongs to the large family of pore-forming proteins (porins) produced by gram-negative bacteria. PorB is exceptional in that it is capable of translocating vectorially into membranes of infected target cells and functions in the infection process. Here we report on an unexpected similarity between Neisserial PorB and mitochondrial porins. Both porin classes interact with purine nucleoside triphosphates, which down-regulate pore size and cause a shift in voltage dependence and ion selectivity. Patch-clamp analyses indicate that PorB channel activity is tightly regulated in intact epithelial cells. In light of recent findings on the pivotal role of PorB in virulence and the prevention of phagosome lysosome fusion, these data provide important mechanistic clues on the intracellular pathogen accommodation reminiscent of mitochondrial endosymbiosis.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗
PubMed1996

Sequential action of factors involved in natural competence for transformation of Neisseria gonorrhoeae.

We previously identified and genetically characterized several factors essential for the natural competence of transformation in Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Here we analyse the sequential action of these factors and dissect the overall transformation process into three distinct steps, (i) the sequence-specific uptake of transforming DNA into a DNase-resistant state, (ii) the transfer of DNA to the cytosol and (iii) the processing and recombination of the incoming with the resident DNA. While two pilus-associated factors, PilE and PilC, were previously implicated in the early DNA uptake event, we show here that three competence factors unrelated to pilus biogenesis, ComA, ComL and Tpc, are not essential for DNA uptake and rather act in a subsequent step. The respective mutants, however, lack the characteristic nucleolytic processing observed with the incoming DNA in both wild-type and non-transformable RecA-deficient N. gonorrhoeae, indicating that they are blocked in the processing and/or the delivery of DNA to the cytoplasm. A hypothetical model proposing a sequential action of the known gonococcal competence factors is presented.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1996

Construction of Hermes shuttle vectors: a versatile system useful for genetic complementation of transformable and non-transformable Neisseria mutants.

A versatile shuttle system has been developed for genetic complementation with cloned genes of transformable and non-transformable Neisseria mutants. By random insertion of a selectable marker into the conjugative Neisseria plasmid ptetM25.2, a site within this plasmid was identified that is compatible with plasmid replication and with conjugative transfer of plasmid. Regions flanking the permissive insertion site of ptetM25.2 were cloned in Escherichia coli and served as a basis for the construction of the Hermes vectors. Hermes vectors are composed of an E. coli replicon that does not support autonomous replication in Neisseria, e.g. ColE1, p15A, or ori(fd), fused with a shuttle consisting of a selectable marker and a multiple cloning site flanked by the integration region of ptetM25.2. Complementation of a non-transformable Neisseria strain involves a three-step process: (i) insertion of the desired gene into a +Hermes vector; (ii) transformation of Hermes into a Neisseria strain containing ptetM25.2 to create a hybrid ptetM25.2 via gene replacement by the Hermes shuttle cassette; and (iii) conjugative transfer of the hybrid ptetM25.2 into the final Neisseria recipient. Several applications for the genetic manipulation of pathogenic Neisseriae are described.

Base Sequence↗