# BIOLOGY OF GONORRHEA

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER · 1987 · $218,662

## Abstract

The epidemic of gonorrhea (2 million cases/year in U.S.) has made Neisseria
gonorrhoeae one of the most important human pathogens.  The cell surface
polymers of the gonococcus, which have been implicated as virulence
factors, show considerable phenotypic variation in expression.  In this
proposal we use a combination of biochemical, genetic, and recombinant DNA
techniques to increase our understanding of the mechanisms controlling
surface variations in the gonococcus.

We are in the process of isolating specific gonococcal genes by recombinant
DNA techniques.  We have constructed an E. coli/N. gonorrhoeae shuttle
vector, pLES2, that enables us to isolate cloned genes in E. coli and
return them to N. gnorrhoeae without subcloning.  These cloned genes will
be used to generate a map of the gonococcal chromosome by chromosome
walking, to determine DNA sequences, to construct merodiploids and analyze
genes by cis/trans and dominant/recessive tests, to supply templates for in
vitro transcription/translation, and to measure in vivo mRNA levels by
hybridization.

In addition, we are attempting to increase our means for genetic
manipulation in N. gonorrhoeae by introducing a system for transpositional
mutagenesis, by introducing the mucAB genes to increase mutability of the
gonococcus, and by constructing gonococcal Hfrs by cloning the tra region
frm a gonococcal conjugal plasmid into a gonococcal suicide vector.

Finally, we are examining the surface antigens produced by the gonococcus
when it is grown anaerobically, to determine if the organism expresses new
virulence factors under these conditions.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3125009
- **Project number:** 5R01AI011709-14
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER
- **SAM.gov UEI:** F27KDXZMF9Y8
- **Principal Investigator:** VIRGINIA L CLARK
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1987
- **Award amount:** $218,662
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1977-02-01 → 1989-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3125009

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3125009, BIOLOGY OF GONORRHEA (5R01AI011709-14). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3125009. Licensed CC0.

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