In Silico Determination and Validation of PorA Structure and Ligand Binding Site as a vaccine candidate in Neisseria meningitidis

Neisseria meningitidisis a major cause of bacterialmeningitis and septicemia worldwide. In theabsence of a comprehensive vaccine against this organism,the characterization of its variable surface antigens isimportant for epidemiologic monitoring and vaccine development. The serologic characterization schemefor meningococci comprises the following: groups, basedon variants in the capsular polysaccharide; types, based onvariants of the PorB outer membrane protein (OMP); subtypes,based on variants of the PorA OMP; and immunotypes,based on variants in the lipooligosaccharide.The development of an effective vaccine against serogroup B strains, which have been responsible for the majority of infections in temperate countries, is therefore likely to require alternative approaches.The two major components of the OMV vaccine are the meningococcal porin proteins encoded by the porAand porBgenes.In order to study the vaccine potential of individual outer membrane proteins, we analyze the PorB structure to identified functional residues wichinvolved in ligand bindig site.

Keywords:

Neisseria meningitides , PorA , ligand bindig site , Bioinformatic