qRT-PCR analysis of rpoS expression in an hns mutant. Strains C7258ΔlacZ (wild type [WT]), AJB80 (C7258ΔlacZ Δhns::Km), and AJB50ΔlacZ (ΔrpoS) were grown to stationary phase (16 h) in TSB at 37°C. RNA was extracted, and rpoS, perA, and bfr mRNA abundances were determined by qRT-PCR as described in Materials and Methods. Results are averages for three independent cultures. Error bars, standard deviations.