# FUNCTIONAL ASPECTS OF MAJOR GONOCOCCAL SURFACE PROTEINS

> **NIH NIH R01** · ROCKEFELLER UNIVERSITY · 1988 · $125,139

## Abstract

The incidence of gonorrhea continues at epidemic levels and at a
substantial health care cost both to the individual and the nation.
Control of this disease can only be accomplished through adequate,
effective immunoprophylaxsis.  This vaccine should be directed at
inhibiting specifi functions used by the gonococcus to invade the human
host.  The function of gonococcal pili and the role these molecules play in
adhering gonococci to human cells is well understood.  However, knowledge
of the subsequent invasion process and how gonococci invade human tissues
is unclear.  The components of the gonococcus responsible for this action
would be prime candidates for an effective gonococcal vaccine.

Our studies have shown that the porin (protein I) may mediate this invasion
mechanism by being transferred from the bacterial membrane to host cell
membranes.  This event would open aqueous channels within the human cells
and change their membrane potential.  This may mimic the host cell signal
to begin phagocytosis.

We would like to examine the molecular details of this event.  We will find
out if this event occurs in relevant biological membranes.  We will measure
the membrane potential change caused by this event and what ions are
responsible.  The membrane fluidity parameters which are important will be
defined.  We will also examine if protein I has any direction action on the
hosts's cellular control mechanisms.

We would like to understand the possible lectin-like properties of the
gonococcal heat-modifiable proteins II.  Once we understand the ligands
that are involved in this process, it will be clearer whether or not these
proteins influence the transfer of protein I into host cells.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3128072
- **Project number:** 5R01AI018637-07
- **Recipient organization:** ROCKEFELLER UNIVERSITY
- **SAM.gov UEI:** LHGDNJMZ64Y1
- **Principal Investigator:** Milan S. Blake
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1988
- **Award amount:** $125,139
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1982-01-01 → 1988-12-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3128072

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3128072, FUNCTIONAL ASPECTS OF MAJOR GONOCOCCAL SURFACE PROTEINS (5R01AI018637-07). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3128072. Licensed CC0.

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