Analysis of genome variation in CEs of meningococcal isolates

Abstract

Important points were concluded from this analysis related with the presence of the same variable CEs within multiple isolates with different time points being under the selection and the location of SNPs within the conserved functional pattern of CEs. In the 40 isolates, 9 out of 39 variable CEs conducted with multiple isolates, each one affected around 20% or more of population. In the same way, the presence same variable CEs within multiple isolates belonging to same CCs or different CCs of 25 pair isolates detected in 12 out of 137 variable CEs, each one affected around 10% or more out of 25 pair isolates. Interestingly, some CEs showed variation within promoters or IHF patterns or were inserted inside the genes, and were associated with genes that coded mainly for different enzymes within metabolism scheme or transporters within outer membrane scheme in both 40 and 25 pair isolates. This variation may change the level of transcription of genes belonging into previous mentioned schemes and this altered expression may help N. meningitidis to resist the immune system. There were 6 out of 39 and 15 out of 137 variable CEs that showed variation within the conserved functional pattern in 40 isolates and 25 pair isolates respectively. Another function of CEs is as a source of variation in N. meningitidis.