GENOME PLASTICITY IN NEISSERIA-GONORRHOEAE

The pathogenic Neisseria have exploited the processes of horizontal DN A transfer and genetic recombination as mechanisms for the generation of extensive protein variation and modulation of gene expression. Loca lized recombinations have been well documented in members of multigene families as have alterations in short repetitive sequences. Here we r eport an analysis of the chromosomal structure of a defined lineage of Neisseria gonorrhoeae strain MS11 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 ch romosome. Additionally, a restriction site polymorphism that correlate s with pilin expression has been observed. These findings highlight th e flexibility of the gonococcal genome.