The Diadenylate Cyclase CdaA Is Critical for Borrelia turicatae Virulence and Physiology
Clay D. Jackson-Litteken, C. Tyler Ratliff, Alexander R. Kneubehl, Cheta Siletti, Lindsay Pack, Renny S. Lan, TuAnh N. Huynh, Job E. López, Jon S. Blevins
Abstract
R elapsing f ever (RF), caused by spirochetes of the genus Borrelia , is a globally distributed, vector-borne disease with high prevalence in developing countries. To date, signaling pathways required for infection and virulence of RF Borrelia spirochetes are unknown. C yclic di - AMP (c-di-AMP), synthesized by d i a denylate c yclases (DACs), is a second messenger predominantly found in Gram-positive organisms that is linked to virulence and essential physiological processes.
Topics & Concepts
BiologyComplementationVirulenceMutantBorreliaGeneticsMicrobiologyPhenotypeMutationBacteriaGeneBorrelia burgdorferiAntibodyVector-borne infectious diseasesViral Infections and VectorsMosquito-borne diseases and control