Characterization of ST-4821 complex, a unique Neisseria meningitidis clone

Abstract

Ten outbreaks of a new serogroup C meningococcal disease emerged during 2003-2005 in China. The multilocus sequence typing results indicated that unique sequence type 4821 clone meningococci were responsible for these outbreaks. Herein, we determined the entire genomic DNA sequence of serogroup C isolate 053442, which belongs to ST-4821. Comparison of 053442 gene contents with other meningococcal genomes shows that they have similar characteristics, including thousands of repetitive elements and simple sequence repeats, numerous phase-variable genes, and similar virulence-related factors. However, many strain-specific regions were found in each genome. We also present the results of a genomic comparison of 28 ST-4821 complex isolates that were isolated from different serogroups using comparative genomic hybridization analysis. Genome comparison between the newly emerged hyperinvasive isolates belonging to different serogroups will further our understanding of their respective pathogenetic mechanisms.

Post-genomics ofNeisseria meningitidis: an update

“…In addition, they performed an extensively CGH analysis on 28 clinical isolates belonging to the the ST-4821 complex, the most predominant and hyper virulent lineage in China [17]. The meningococcal disease-associated island was detected in almost all the ST-4821 complex clinical isolates (21 from healthy carriers and eight from patients), thus confirming its important role in meningococcal pathogenesis as reported by Bille et al [18].…”

“…The same authors also compared the MenC 053442 genome with those of three meningococci, MenA Z2491, MenB MC58 and MenC FAM18, defining a common backbone of genes that may be responsible for the colonization and spread among members of the human host [17]. In addition, they performed an extensively CGH analysis on 28 clinical isolates belonging to the the ST-4821 complex, the most predominant and hyper virulent lineage in China [17].…”

Neisseria meningitidis antigen NMB0088: sequence variability, protein topology and vaccine potential

“…The Neisseria gonorrhoeae strain FA1090 genome was accessed from the University of Oklahoma website (http://www.genome.ou.edu/gono.html). The recently published sequence from the serogroup C isolate 053442 (ST-4821) (Peng et al, 2008) was also employed. CLUSTAL W version 2.0 (Larkin et al, 2007) was used to perform sequence alignments.…”

Whole-Genome Sequence of the Transformable Neisseria meningitidis Serogroup A Strain WUE2594

“…It contains four rRNA operons and codes for 55 tRNAs, 1,941 protein-coding sequences (CDSs), and 135 pseudogenes. In line with a clonal population structure of serogroup A meningococci (1), the WUE2594 genome has the highest similarity to the genome of Z2491 among the seven so far completely sequenced meningococcal strains (2,7,11,12,15,16,19). Both share 1,857 CDSs, with an average nucleotide sequence identity of 98.6%, and are highly colinear, with only one inversion spanning the capsule locus regions A, C, and E (5).…”

“…Whereas five complete genome sequences are available for serogroup B and C strains (2,7,12,15,19), which are endemic predominantly in industrialized countries (6), only a single serogroup A strain has so far been sequenced (11). However, the fact that the sequenced serogroup A strain Z2491 is not transformable in vitro has severely hindered the experimental analysis of serogroup A virulence and epidemiology.…”