A Toolbox for Neisseria meningitidis: Gene Editing, Complementation and Labelling

Abstract

The efficient transformation of Neisseria meningitidis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae facilitates the rapid construction of bacterial mutants with insertion of antibiotic resistance cassettes. However, this strategy limits the construction of strains with multiple mutations. Recent advances in markerless strategies for Neisseria species have enabled the construction of mutants without antibiotic resistance markers. However, these innovative approaches have potential limitations related to the selection strategy or the possible occurrence of spontaneous mutations in the selection marker genes. In addition, complementation tools or labelling strategies for N. meningitidis are also lacking. In this study, we have introduced new tools for markerless mutation, genetic complementation and labelling in N. meningitidis, thus improving the research possibilities for understanding and tackling these pathogens.