Spermine and spermidine alter gene expression and antigenic profile of Borrelia burgdorferi
Abstract
Borrelia burgdorferi, the agent of Lyme disease, responds to numerous host-derived signals to alter adaptive capabilities during its enzootic cycle in an arthropod vector and mammalian host. Bioinformatic analysis of the borrelial genome revealed the presence of polyamine transport components (PotA, B, C and D) while homologs for polyamine biosynthesis were conspicuously absent. Although potABCD is co-transcribed, the level of PotA was elevated under in vitro growth conditions mimicking unfed-ticks compared to fed-ticks while the levels of PotD were similar under the aforementioned conditions in B. burgdorferi. Among several polyamines and polyamine precursors, supplementation of spermine or spermidine in the borrelial growth medium induced synthesis of major regulators of gene expression in Bb such as RpoS and BosR with a concomitant increase in proteins that contribute to colonization and survival of B. burgdorferi in the mammalian host.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 23, 2017
- Accession Number
- AD1055651
Entities
People
- Ann N. Reyes
- Jesus A Romo
- Ying-han Lin
Organizations
- University of Texas at San Antonio