Genetic diversity of the iron‐binding protein (Fbp) gene of the pathogenic and commensal Neisseria

The pathogenic Neisseria and most commensal Neisseria species produce an iron‐binding protein (Fbp) when grown under iron‐limited conditions. In the current study, we confirmed the presence of Fbp, as well as DNA sequences homologous to the gonococcal fbp, in strains of N. gonorrhoeae, N. meningitidis, N. cinerea, N. lactamica, N. subflava, N. kochii and N. polysaccharea. The fbp genes from these strains were amplified by the polymerase chain reaction, digested with StuI or RsaI, and the restriction patterns examined. The patterns for the gonococcal and meningococcal fbp were virtually identical; however, variations were observed in the fbp sequences of the commensal Neisseria species. N. flavescens, N. mucosa, N. sicca, N. ovis and Branhamella catarrhalis, did not produce Fbp as detected by sodium dodecyl sulfate‐polyacrylamide gel electropheris and reactivity with an Fbp specific monoclonal antibody, nor did they hybridize to an fbp‐specific DNA probe.