Figure 5.

Novel B. burgdorferi RNA transcripts expressed during murine infection. (A) A subset of Bbives that lack or have low read count associated TSSs demonstrate low promoter activity in culture. Bbive sequences were fused to luciferase in pJSB161 and measured for luciferase activity, as described in Figure 3 legend. Data represent the mean ± SD from three biological replicates shown in log scale and were analyzed relative to pJSB161 using the two-tailed Student's t-test. Unless otherwise indicated all fusion constructs demonstrated significantly greater RLUs than the promoterless control, pJSB161, (P ≤ 0.01). n.s., not significantly greater RLU relative to pJSB161. (B) Bioluminescence of Bbive sequences in the murine host. C3H/HeN mice infected intraperitoneally with 1 × 10⁵B. burgdorferi containing controls and specific Bbive luciferase fusions, analyzed by IVIS as described in Figure 4 legend. Symbols indicate specific controls for each time point. Data are representative of two biological replicates. Note that the same color spectrum scale is used between figures.