Regulator of Actin-Based Motility (RoaM) Downregulates Actin Tail Formation by Rickettsia rickettsii and Is Negatively Selected in Mammalian Cell Culture
Adam M. Nock, Tina R. Clark, Ted Hackstadt
Abstract
has been studied extensively, but here, we provide genetic evidence that motility is a regulated process in R. rickettsii. The findings also suggest that serial passage of rickettsial strains in cell culture may cause the bacteria to lose essential genes that are no longer conserved under natural selective pressure. These findings are likely relevant to the interpretation of studies concerning virulence determinants of rickettsiae.
Topics & Concepts
ActinMotilityBiologyCytoplasmVirulenceRickettsia rickettsiiCell biologyRegulatorMicrobiologyVirologySpotted feverGeneRickettsiaGeneticsVirusVector-borne infectious diseasesViral Infections and VectorsInsect symbiosis and bacterial influences