Year: 2018
Type: article
Abstract: Francisella tularensis is a highly virulent Gram-negative bacterium, and the causative agent of the disease, tularemia. During infection, this bacterium inhabits numerous cell types of its mammalian host including phagocytes of the immune system and erythrocytes – cells incapable of endocytosis. We previously determined that several F. tularensis genes upregulated in the presence of erythrocytes were also important for invasion of these host cells. Another such upregulated gene, FTL_0893, has not yet been tested for its involvement in erythrocyte invasion. In this current study, we sought to generate both a disruption and deletion mutation of FTL_0893. These mutant strains are currently being tested for their ability to invade erythrocytes. We are also investigating the contribution of FTL_0893 in the virulence of F. tularensis using various in vitro and in vivo infection models.
Authors: Katelyn Yauch, Lisa Nachtwey, Joseph Horzempa
Institution: West Liberty University
Language: English
Subfield: Molecular Biology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4301486712