Characterization of <i>Moraxella</i> ( <i>Branhamella</i> ) <i>catarrhalis lbpB</i> , <i>lbpA</i> , and Lactoferrin Receptor <i>orf3</i> Isogenic Mutants

Abstract

Pathogenic members of the family Neisseriaceae produce specific receptors to acquire iron from their host's lactoferrin and transferrin. Recently, putative Moraxella catarrhalis lactoferrin receptor genes and a third open reading frame (lbpB, lbpA, and orf3) were cloned and sequenced. We describe the preliminary characterization of isogenic mutants deficient in LbpB, LbpA, or Orf3 protein.