FIG. 5.

Complementation of an RpoS-deficient strain with plasmids containing mutations in key residues of the rpoS −24/−12 region influences transcript levels of rpoS. B. burgdorferi cells were harvested at ∼1 × 10⁸ bacteria/ml from BSK-H medium containing 6% rabbit blood, and rpoS transcript levels relative to flaB (flagellar protein) levels were determined by qRT-PCR. Results for RpoN-deficient (RpoN−) and RpoS-deficient (RpoS−) strains and for the RpoS-deficient strain complemented with the wild-type rpoS promoter or promoter mutant are presented compared to wild-type rpoS expression (n = 3, except for d-17/18, where n = 2).