RNA-Seq-based analysis of changes in Borrelia burgdorferi gene expression linked to pathogenicity.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Lyme disease is a global public health problem caused by the spirochaete Borrelia burgdorferi. Our previous studies found differences in disease severity between B. burgdorferi B31- and B. garinii SZ-infected mice. We hypothesized that genes that are differentially expressed between Borrelia isolates encode bacterial factors that contribute to disease diversity.

Methods

The present study used high-throughput sequencing technology to characterize and compare the transcriptional profiles of B. burgdorferi B31 and B. garinii SZ cultured in vitro. Real-time quantitative RT-PCR was used to validate selected data from RNA-seq experiments.

Results

A total of 731 genes were differentially expressed between B. burgdorferi B31 and B. garinii SZ isolates, including th

SUBMITTER: Wu Q 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4395869 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature