Phase-Variable Expression oflptAModulates the Resistance of Neisseria gonorrhoeae to Cationic Antimicrobial Peptides

Abstract

ABSTRACTPhosphoethanolamine (PEA) decoration of lipid A produced byNeisseria gonorrhoeaehas been linked to bacterial resistance to cationic antimicrobial peptides/proteins (CAMPs) andin vivofitness during experimental infection. We now report that thelptAgene, which encodes the PEA transferase responsible for this decoration, is in an operon and that high-frequency mutation in a polynucleotide repeat withinlptAcan influence gonococcal resistance to CAMPs.