Efficient targeted mutagenesis in Borrelia burgdorferi

James L. Bono, Abdallah F. Elias, John J. Kupko, Brian Stevenson, Kit Tilly, Patricia Rosa

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

173 Citations (SciVal)

Abstract

Genetic studies in Borrelia burgdorferi have been hindered by the lack of a nonborrelial selectable marker. Currently, the only selectable marker is gyrB(r), a mutated form of the chromosomal gyrB gene that encodes the B subunit of DNA gyrase and confers resistance to the antibiotic coumer-mycin A1. The utility of the coumer-mycin-resistant gyrB(r) gene for targeted gene disruption is limited by a high frequency of recombination with the endogenous gyrB gene. A kanamycin resistance gene (kan) was introduced into B. burgdorferi, and its use as a selectable marker was explored in an effort to improve the genetic manipulation of this pathogen. B. burgdorferi transformants with the kan gene expressed from its native promoter were susceptible to kanamycin. In striking contrast, transformants with the kan gene expressed from either the B. burgdorferi flaB or flgB promoter were resistant to high levels of kanamycin. The kanamycin resistance marker allows efficient direct selection of mutants in B. burgdorferi and hence is a significant improvement in the ability to construct isogenic mutant strains in this pathogen.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2445-2452
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of Bacteriology
Volume182
Issue number9
DOIs
StatePublished - May 2000

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Microbiology
  • Molecular Biology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Efficient targeted mutagenesis in Borrelia burgdorferi'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this