RT Journal Article SR Electronic(1) A1 Calder, Alan A1 Menkiti, Chukwuma Jude A1 Çağdaş, Aylin A1 Lisboa Santos, Jefferson A1 Streich, Ricarda A1 Wong, Alice A1 Avini, Amir H. A1 Bojang, Ebrima A1 Yogamanoharan, Karththeepan A1 Sivanesan, Nivetha A1 Ali, Besma A1 Ashrafi, Mariam A1 Issa, Abdirizak A1 Kaur, Tajinder A1 Latif, Aisha A1 Mohamed, Hani A. Sheik A1 Maqsood, Atifa A1 Tamang, Laxmi A1 Swager, Emily A1 Stringer, Alex J. A1 Snyder, Lori A.S.YR 2020 T1 Virulence genes and previously unexplored gene clusters in four commensal Neisseria spp. isolated from the human throat expand the neisserial gene repertoire JF Microbial Genomics, VO 6 IS 9 OP SP e000423 DO https://doi.org/10.1099/mgen.0.000423 PB Microbiology Society, SN 2057-5858, AB Commensal non-pathogenic Neisseria spp. live within the human host alongside the pathogenic Neisseria meningitidis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae and due to natural competence, horizontal gene transfer within the genus is possible and has been observed. Four distinct Neisseria spp. isolates taken from the throats of two human volunteers have been assessed here using a combination of microbiological and bioinformatics techniques. Three of the isolates have been identified as Neisseria subflava biovar perflava and one as Neisseria cinerea . Specific gene clusters have been identified within these commensal isolate genome sequences that are believed to encode a Type VI Secretion System, a newly identified CRISPR system, a Type IV Secretion System unlike that in other Neisseria spp., a hemin transporter, and a haem acquisition and utilization system. This investigation is the first to investigate these systems in either the non-pathogenic or pathogenic Neisseria spp. In addition, the N. subflava biovar perflava possess previously unreported capsule loci and sequences have been identified in all four isolates that are similar to genes seen within the pathogens that are associated with virulence. These data from the four commensal isolates provide further evidence for a Neisseria spp. gene pool and highlight the presence of systems within the commensals with functions still to be explored., UL https://www.microbiologyresearch.org/content/journal/mgen/10.1099/mgen.0.000423