Nitric oxide metabolism of Neisseria meningitidis and its impact on host defence

Abstract

Neisseria meningitidis, a nasopharyngeal commensal and the causative agent of meningococcal disease in humans, is exposed to nitrosative stress in its biological niche. The genome of the meningococcus contains the genes aniA and norB, coding for a nitrite reductase and a nitric oxide reductase, respectively. Together these constitute a partial denitrification pathway, which the meningococcus uses to supplement its growth under microaerobic conditions.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo