This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing theresources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. The subproject andinvestigator (PI) may have received primary funding from another NIH source,and thus could be represented in other CRISP entries. The institution listed isfor the Center, which is not necessarily the institution for the investigator.Background & Aims: Regulation of gene expression in the Lyme disease spirochetes is of fundamental importance to establishing a successful infection. The alternative Sigma factor, RpoS, is a key player that orchestrates the expression of multiple genes at the onset of infection and throughout vertebrate infection. The regulation of rpoS itself is complex and involves multiple pathways. We investigated the regulation of RpoS in this organism. Methods: We have deleted the relA/spoT gene in B. burgdorferi and subsequently complemented the relA/spoT mutant in an attempt to understand its contribution to the regulation of rpoS in this organism. Results: Preliminary results suggest that the relA/spoT gene is important for spirochetal growth under conditions of limited nutrient availability. Moreover, the expression of RpoS was also significantly higher in the wildtype and complemented strains as compared to the relA/spoT mutant. Conclusions: Our data indicate that the relA/spoT gene is one of the factors that control the expression of RpoS in this organism. This study is currently being completed and a manuscript will be prepared shortly.
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