Generation of capsule-deficient Neisseria meningitidis strains by homologous recombination.

Authors:
M Frosch, E Schultz, E Glenn-Calvo, T F Meyer
Year of publication:
1990
Volume:
4
Issue:
7
Issn:
0950-382X
Journal title abbreviated:
Mol. Microbiol.
Journal title long:
Molecular microbiology
Impact factor:
3.979
Abstract:
Capsule-deficient mutants of Neisseria meningitidis serogroup B strain B1940 were constructed by allelic replacement using the plasmids pMF120 and pMF121, which contain the flanking regions of the gene locus for the biosynthesis pathway of the group B meningococcal capsular polysaccharide. Southern blot analysis of chromosomal DNA of the capsule-deficient meningococcal strains confirmed the generation of large deletions in the chromosomal cps gene complex. The same strategy proved useful in constructing meningococcal strains with capsular types A, C, W135, Y and Z.