Molecular Genetics of the Gonococcus

描述（由申请人提供）：淋病奈瑟菌（Gc）是一种性传播的感染性病原体，是淋病的唯一病原体。作为一种严格意义上的人类病原体，这种细菌已经进化出了复杂的机制，以促进在受影响人群中的定植和生长及其传播。淋病的核心是男性和女性在有症状的Gc感染期间大量涌入白细胞。化脓性渗出物主要由人类多形核淋巴细胞（pmn）和相关的活Gc组成。Gc和PMN之间的相互作用是发病机制的重要组成部分。这种竞争性更新将继续探索我们已经确定的对Gc和PMNs相互作用重要的新因子所使用的分子机制，揭示PMNs内部和之间Gc存活的重要新机制，并确定Gc如何调节PMNs的凋亡途径。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Neisseria gonorrhoeae (Gc) is a sexually transmitted infectious agent that is the only causative agent of the disease gonorrhea. As a strict human pathogen, this bacterium has evolved sophisticated mechanisms to facilitate colonization and growth within affected human populations and its spread. Central to the disease gonorrhea is the massive influx of white cells that occurs in both males and females during symptomatic Gc infection. This "purulent exudate" consists predominately of human polymorphonuclear lymphocytes (PMNs) with associated viable Gc. The interplay between Gc and the PMN is an essential part of pathogenesis. This competitive renewal will continue to explore the molecular mechanisms used by novel factors we have identified that are important for the interaction of Gc and PMNs, to uncover new mechanisms important for Gc survival within and among PMNs, and to determine how Gc modulates the apoptotic pathways of PMNs.