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Published on: February 22, 2019
Analysis of ehrlichial p28 gene expression in a murine model of persistent infection
Patricia A Crocquet-Valdes1, Jere W McBride, Hui-Min Feng
1Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555-0609, USA. pavaldes@utmb.edu
Abstract:
Historically, ehrlichioses were tick-borne diseases of veterinary medical importance and are now important emerging infectious diseases in humans. p28s are encoded by multigene families with ORFs tandemly arranged with intergenic spaces of variable lengths. We reported initial sequencing of the Ehrlichia muris p28 locus. A model of persistent infection was described and provided tools for study of persistent ehrlichial infection. We completed the sequence of the E. muris p28 locus and examined mRNA expression.
Insights
Ehrlichia muris p28 genes, important in emerging human ehrlichioses, were fully sequenced. Researchers examined their mRNA expression in a persistent infection model, aiding future studies of tick-borne diseases.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Genomics
Background:
- Ehrlichioses, historically veterinary concerns, are emerging tick-borne infectious diseases in humans.
- The p28 protein family in Ehrlichia species is encoded by multigene families with tandemly arranged open reading frames (ORFs).
Purpose of the Study:
- To complete the sequence of the Ehrlichia muris p28 locus.
- To investigate the mRNA expression of E. muris p28 genes within a persistent infection model.
Main Methods:
- Sequencing of the Ehrlichia muris p28 locus.
- Analysis of mRNA expression using a persistent infection model.
Main Results:
- The complete sequence of the E. muris p28 locus was obtained.
- mRNA expression of p28 genes was examined in the context of persistent infection.
Conclusions:
- The study provides a complete sequence of the E. muris p28 locus.
- The findings contribute to understanding persistent ehrlichial infections and offer tools for further research into emerging infectious diseases.
