Novel Information about Neisseria meningitidis: Identification of the Most Important Type II Toxin Antitoxin Systems

Background: Toxin antitoxin systems is the one of the important elements among pathogenic bacteria which have proven roles such as biofilm formation, cell programmed death and persister cells formation. Neisseria meningitidis causing serious diseases in humans must be highlighted. Objective: The current study aimed to identify the mazEF and relBE TA systems in N. meningitidis. Method: The potential TA loci were searched in RASTA database by bioinformatics analysis and then, experimental analysis was performed by PCR assay. PCR products were confirmed by sequencing. Results: Our findings demonstrated that mazEF and relBE TA systems were positive by PCR assay and results of sequencing confirmed the PCR results. Conclusion: Notably, our highlighted findings are the first report of mazEF and RelBE TA loci in N. meningitides. Finally, we strongly recommended that laboratory experiments should be performed to identify the roles of these TA loci in N. meningitides.